Around 100 NHS pharmacies across England are set to introduce cholesterol check-ups this autumn. This initiative is part of an NHS effort to reduce deaths from heart disease and stroke by a quarter over the next decade.
People aged 40 to 84, who are not pregnant and have not had a blood test in the past year, will be eligible for the quick pin-prick test. The test will analyse a person’s cholesterol profile in approximately seven minutes.
Following the test, a pharmacist prescriber can offer lifestyle advice and determine if any treatment is necessary. Patients will receive their results via email. Eligible individuals will also be offered a blood pressure check during a clinical consultation with a pharmacist prescriber.
This NHS pilot programme is scheduled to continue until spring 2027. The national rollout follows a successful smaller pilot in north London, which tested 2,493 patients at 61 community pharmacies between January 2025 and March 2026.