Following the recent storm of criticism over the price of EHC and previous comments made by the company, Boots announced that it has sourced a cheaper generic EHC product.

Following a four-week trial in 38 stores, the multiple pharmacy chain has secured an increased supply of generic levonorgestrel, which means the company will be able to offer it across its 2,500 stores from next month with a retail price of £15.99.

A Boots UK spokesperson said: “We are committed to listening to our customers on this important matter, and have been working hard to establish a sustainable supply of this medicine so we can offer this as part of our EHC service nationally across all 2,500 of our stores.

“We continue to believe that the best way to increase access of EHC is for a free NHS service to be made available to all women for the provision of EHC in England, as it is in Scotland and Wales.”