Starting this autumn, high-street pharmacies across England will provide free seven-minute cholesterol tests as part of a nationwide effort to reduce deaths from heart disease and strokes. The simple pin-prick test will assess a patient’s cholesterol levels, allowing pharmacist prescribers to give lifestyle advice and determine if treatment is needed, NHS England has confirmed.
The pilot programme will be available in approximately 100 pharmacies. It targets eligible individuals aged between 40 and 84 who are not pregnant and have not had a cholesterol blood test in the previous year. Alongside the cholesterol check, patients will also be offered a blood pressure measurement and will receive their results via email.
David Webb, chief pharmaceutical officer for England, emphasised the important role of pharmacies, stating: “Your local pharmacy can be a vital first line of defence against serious illness. By making it easier to get a quick and convenient cholesterol health check on the high street, we can detect health risks earlier, allowing people to take action to prevent heart attacks and strokes before they occur.”
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This initiative is part of the NHS’s 10-Year Health Plan to extend care delivery into community settings, shifting services previously offered only in GP surgeries closer to where people live.
The rollout builds on a successful pilot conducted in north London by Barts Health NHS Trust in collaboration with UCL Partners and HEART UK. Between January 2025 and March 2026, 2,493 patients were tested at 61 community pharmacies.
Of those tested, 19% were deemed suitable for medical intervention, with 88 individuals commencing statin treatment. Dr Rani Khatib, NHS England’s National Specialty Advisor for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, urged the public to know their risk factors, saying: “Everyone should be aware of common risks such as high cholesterol and blood pressure and ‘know their numbers’. This programme will support people in managing these risks earlier, reducing the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes.”
Dr Sotiris Antoniou, clinical lead for the initiative at Barts Health NHS Trust, explained that the national programme extends a quality-assured model of point-of-care testing established in community pharmacies. He added, “By expanding this approach nationwide, pharmacists can identify cardiovascular risks sooner and provide timely advice and treatment. This could improve patient outcomes and reduce health inequalities, especially in communities most affected by cardiovascular diseases.”
Chris Laing, chief executive of UCLPartners, highlighted the benefits of early detection: “Our evidence showed that one in five people tested in north London were at high risk of heart attack or stroke within the next decade. Early detection through pharmacies allows for lifestyle advice or GP referral, benefits now set to reach more people across England.”
Health Minister Alison McGovern welcomed the programme, saying: “This innovation makes it easier to identify potential health problems quickly and take action to protect health. Early detection helps prevent serious conditions, keeps people healthier for longer, and eases the burden on NHS services.”
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, described the move as a historic advance. He expressed hope for further expansion, stating: “Pharmacies have long demonstrated their ability to play a larger role within our health system by offering a broader range of patient care. The NHS should continue to expand community pharmacy roles, including wider prescribing rights, more conditions treated through Pharmacy First, and participation in detecting long-term conditions.”
The pilot programme is scheduled to run from this autumn through to spring 2027, marking a significant step forward in community healthcare provision across England.