The NHS in England will roll out free finger‑prick cholesterol tests at high‑street pharmacies for the first time, aiming to cut heart disease and stroke deaths by a quarter over the next decade.
The seven‑minute tests will be offered in participating pharmacies nationwide, helping to spot people at high cardiovascular risk early.
Eligibility covers individuals aged 40‑84 who are not pregnant and have not had a blood test in the past year; they can simply walk in for a check.
A pharmacist prescriber will take a small blood sample via a fingertip lancet and analyse it on site. Based on the results, advice on lifestyle and, if needed, prescription of statins will be provided.
Patients receive their results by email and are also offered a blood pressure check during the consultation.
The initiative, the first of its kind globally, was announced at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Munich, the world’s largest heart conference.
David Webb, England’s chief pharmaceutical officer, said pharmacies can serve as a vital first line of defence against serious illness. He stated, “By making it easier for people to get a quick and convenient cholesterol health check on their local high street, we can spot ticking timebombs earlier, helping people take action, and prevent heart attacks and strokes before they happen. This is the latest in a series of initiatives involving pharmacies in delivering care previously only offered in GP surgeries as part of the 10‑year health plan to bring care closer to where people live.”
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Dr Sotiris Antoniou, clinical lead for the scheme at Barts Health, said scaling the approach across England will enable pharmacists to identify cardiovascular risk earlier and act promptly with advice and treatment. “This has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities, particularly in communities where the burden of cardiovascular disease is greatest.”
Dr Rani Khatib, NHS England’s national specialty adviser for cardiovascular disease prevention, urged people to “know their numbers” and be aware of common risk factors such as high cholesterol and blood pressure.
Alison McGovern, a health minister, praised the move as the type of innovation she wants to see across the NHS. “We’re making it easier for people to spot potential problems earlier and take action to protect their health,” she said, adding that early detection can help prevent serious conditions and ease pressure on services.
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