The NHS has made the morning-after pill available for free in pharmacies across England, aiming to eliminate the “postcode lottery” that limited access to emergency contraception. Nearly 10,000 pharmacies can now provide the pill without charge, meaning women no longer need to visit a GP or book an appointment at a sexual health clinic to access it. Previously, some pharmacies charged up to £30 for the emergency pill.

Free Emergency Contraception Now Available at Pharmacies

Thousands of women in England can now access the morning-after pill for free from local pharmacies under the government’s NHS reforms, which are designed to make healthcare services more accessible without requiring GP appointments.

Research suggests that one in five women aged 18 to 35 will need emergency contraception each year. The pill can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.

Before this change, women had to buy the pill over the counter for as much as £30 or seek it free from GPs and sexual health clinics. However, both options often came with barriers such as appointment delays or reduced clinic availability due to funding cuts. With the pill being most effective when taken soon after unprotected sex, the NHS move has been welcomed by health advocates as a timely and practical step.

Where Can You Get the Free Morning-After Pill?

As reported by The Independent, around 10,000 pharmacies in England, including major chains like Boots and Superdrug, as well as independent outlets, are now offering the morning-after pill free of charge.

Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said that pharmacists can also provide confidential advice on contraception choices. “Expanding the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service to include access to emergency hormonal contraception is a significant step forward in helping women get timely healthcare,” she explained.

“Women can visit their local Boots pharmacy for free contraception advice, support, and medication—without needing a GP or clinic appointment.”

What Was the Situation Before This Change?

Until this rollout, women often had to make an appointment at a clinic or contact their GP to obtain emergency contraception, which sometimes led to delays, especially over weekends or in rural areas. Under the new plan, women of reproductive age can now walk into any participating pharmacy and speak directly with a trained pharmacist. Consultations are private, and the pill is dispensed immediately if appropriate.

This initiative adds to a growing list of NHS pharmacy services, which now include starting or continuing regular birth control, getting advice after beginning antidepressants, and receiving blood pressure checks and vaccinations. The goal is to make local pharmacies a convenient first stop for everyday healthcare needs.

A Step Toward Easier Access

The new scheme represents a broader effort to expand women’s healthcare access across the country. By making emergency contraception free and widely available, the NHS hopes to remove financial and logistical barriers that previously prevented timely use.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical questions or concerns.

US President Donald Trump recently claimed he had taken an “IQ test,” seemingly mistaking it for a dementia screening exam. Boasting that he achieved a perfect score, he also challenged Democratic representatives Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) to attempt the same test.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, the 79-year-old described the exam as “very hard,” while mocking his opponents as “low IQ” individuals. This mix-up has once again drawn scrutiny to his cognitive health, with experts suggesting the confusion could be a possible sign of dementia.

Donald Trump Mistakes Cognitive Exam For IQ Test

On Monday (October 27), Trump told reporters that he had aced an intelligence test at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. According to The New Republic, the test he referred to is likely the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a short 10-minute screening tool designed to detect early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this, Trump appeared to treat it as an intelligence measure rather than a diagnostic tool.

During his remarks, the Republican challenged Crockett, 44, and Ocasio-Cortez, 36, to take what he called the “IQ test.” “Let Jasmine go against Trump,” he said. “The first couple of questions are easy: a tiger, an elephant, a giraffe, you know. But when you get up to about five or six, and then 10, 20, 25—they couldn’t answer any of them,” he added.

Donald Trump’s Verbal Gaffes

This is not the first time Donald Trump has spoken about the MoCA test in exaggerated terms or made verbal missteps. Back in 2020, he told Fox News that he was asked “30 to 35 questions” of varying difficulty. “They always show you the first one, like a giraffe, a tiger, or a whale—‘Which one is the whale?’ OK. And then it gets harder and harder,” he said at the time, insisting that others had struggled where he had not.

Observers have long noted that Trump’s speeches often include rambling detours and non-sequiturs. “His speeches are full of non sequiturs,” said historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez of Calvin College, who has compared the speaking styles of Trump and Hillary Clinton. “It’s a completely different style from nearly any other politician you normally see on a big stage.”

Is Donald Trump Showing Early Signs of Dementia?

Clinical psychologists Dr. Harry Segal and Dr. John Gartner have expressed concern about the president’s psychomotor performance, suggesting that he may be displaying early indicators of dementia. Speaking in a recent episode of their program Shrinking Trump, Dr. Gartner said, “We’ve been observing a clear decline in his motor performance, which aligns with dementia, as it typically involves deterioration across all faculties and functions.”

He added that Trump’s public demeanor, language, and verbal disorganization have become more apparent signs of cognitive changes. According to The Mirror, Trump has also been seen attempting to conceal his hands in public, prompting further speculation about his health.

The recent mix-up between the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and an IQ test, some experts say, could further reinforce these concerns. To better understand this, we spoke with Dr. Neetu Tiwari, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry), Senior Resident at NIIMS Medical College & Hospital.

She explained, “Confusing the nature of the test could be something worth noting. In itself, a single instance of confusion does not amount to a diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) or any other dementia type. But if this kind of misunderstanding is part of a wider pattern—repeated confusion, new behavioural changes, personality shifts, language difficulties, or problems managing daily tasks—it would justify a full cognitive and neurological assessment. Early detection often relies on observing clusters of symptoms that persist or worsen over time.”

Summing up her view, Dr. Tiwari added that while it is possible for such mislabelling to be a small indicator, it is not strong evidence on its own. “Context matters,” she said. “Age, baseline cognitive ability, education, emotional state, stress, and fatigue all influence mental performance. The responsible next step is to monitor whether other changes are taking place, and if so, to seek a detailed evaluation from a neurologist or neuropsychologist.”

Blood pressure medication recall: More than half a million bottles of blood pressure medicine have been recalled due to the presence of a potential cancer-causing chemical, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, issued a voluntary recall on October 7, 2025, for certain batches of prazosin hydrochloride capsules.

The FDA later classified the situation as a Class II risk on October 24, 2025, which means that use or exposure could cause temporary or medically reversible health issues, though the chance of serious harm is considered low.

Prazosin hydrochloride: FDA Recalls Blood Pressure Medicine

Teva Pharmaceuticals announced the voluntary recall after the FDA identified a potential impurity in some batches of prazosin hydrochloride. A Class II classification indicates that exposure to the affected medication could cause short-term or reversible health problems, but the likelihood of severe consequences is low.

Prazosin hydrochloride is an FDA-approved medication for treating high blood pressure, but it is also prescribed off-label to help people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manage nightmares and sleep disturbances. The drug works by relaxing blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure and improve blood flow.

Blood Pressure Medication Recall: What Chemical Impurity Caused the Blood Pressure Medication Recall?

The recall applies to three different dosage strengths that were distributed across the United States. The affected capsules were found to contain elevated levels of N-nitroso prazosin impurity, a nitrosamine compound that may increase the risk of cancer with prolonged exposure.

The FDA has stated that nitrosamine impurities like N-nitroso Prazosin impurity C can be harmful over time. However, because the recall falls under the Class II category, the potential for serious or long-term effects is low. In total, more than 580,000 bottles of prazosin hydrochloride are included in the recall. Patients currently taking the medicine for blood pressure or other conditions are advised to check their bottles, contact their pharmacist, and safely dispose of any affected medication.

Prazosin hydrochloride: Blood Pressure Recalled Products

According to USA Today, the recall involves the following:

• 1 mg capsules: 181,659 bottles (NDC 0093-4067-01 and 0093-4067-10), lot numbers 3010544A and 3010545A, with an expiry date of October 2025.
• 2 mg capsules: 291,512 bottles (NDC 0093-4068-01 and 0093-4068-10) across several lot numbers, expiring between October 2025 and July 2026.
• 5 mg capsules: 107,673 bottles (NDC 0093-4069-01, 0093-4069-52, and 0093-4069-05) across various lot numbers, with expiry dates extending into 2026.

Prazosin hydrochloride: What Should People Do With Recalled Medication?

Although neither Teva nor the FDA has issued specific instructions for patients, GoodRx advises those affected to verify their medication’s lot number, contact their pharmacist and prescribing doctor, and dispose of the recalled product safely.

Teva has started notifying customers by mail, and the recall process is ongoing. Patients with questions are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider or pharmacist to confirm whether their prescription is part of the recall and discuss suitable alternatives if needed.

Hong Thai Herb Inhaler Recalled: Sold at airport kiosks, roadside stalls, and trending online, Thailand’s go-to herbal inhaler, a popular everyday pick-me-up product has been pulled from the market after tests revealed unsafe microbial levels in certain batches. The recall follows a warning from Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which announced on Tuesday, October 28, that one batch of the product failed to meet microbial safety standards.

According to a three-page advisory, Batch ‘000332’ of the “Herbal Inhaler Formula 2” did not pass contamination checks. Thai Herbal Hong Thai Ltd., the company behind the inhaler, has recalled Lot 000332, about 200,000 units, after the FDA’s findings, as per The Independent.

Hong Thai Herb Inhaler Recalled

Thai Herbal Hong Thai, the maker of Hong Thai Herbal Inhaler Formula 2, has officially recalled Lot 000332 after Thailand’s FDA found microbial contamination that exceeded acceptable safety levels during routine testing. The affected batch includes 200,000 units.

Founder Mr. Teerapong Rabueathum explained that the contamination was limited to Lot 000332, which was produced on December 9, 2024, and set to expire on December 8, 2027. He clarified that all other batches remain safe for use and that reports of a full production or sales suspension were incorrect. The FDA notice, he said, only applies to the contaminated lot.

The company stated that microorganisms were found beyond the standard limits, though the FDA has yet to identify the bacterial strain or explain its specific health risks. Mr. Teerapong added that the company plans to meet with the FDA to review the test results and clarify technical details.

He mentioned that their in-house tests before the product’s registration had shown no issues. Hong Thai has begun recalling the affected batch from retailers, though only part of the stock could be retrieved since it was produced earlier.

What Is Hong Thai?

Known locally as yadom, these herbal inhalers are a staple across Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. They are small, portable tubes filled with essential oils, menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus, often used to relieve nasal congestion, dizziness, or motion sickness. Over time, these inhalers have become household essentials and tourist favourites.

Their popularity grew even further after global celebrities such as BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth, and British rapper Central Cee were seen using them, helping the product gain traction among international audiences.

What To Do With Your Recalled Hong Thai?

Customers who have inhalers from the affected batch can return them to Hong Thai Panich, 434 Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Road, Bang Phai, Bang Khae, Bangkok 10160. Refunds can also be requested by contacting 02-803-1549, 081-252-3406, 092-740-5500, or 092-740-7700.

The company has said it has now upgraded its manufacturing process, adding new quality checks and ultraviolet (UV) sterilisation at multiple stages of production to ensure future batches meet safety and hygiene standards. “We sincerely apologise to our partners for the inconvenience and to our valued customers for any concern caused,” the company said in a statement. “We remain committed to maintaining your trust and thank you for your continued support.”