By Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy
A new NHS initiative has just been announced in which people can drop in to their local London pharmacy and have a cholesterol test that only takes 7-minutes.
100 pharmacies are participating, mostly situated in North and Northeast London.
Who can be tested
You are eligible for testing if you are aged between 40 and 84, are not pregnant, and have not had a cholesterol blood test in the past year. This option for testing will be available from now until spring 2027.
What happens during your 7-minute cholesterol test
You will have a small finger prick with a lancet to produce a drop of blood, which is dripped onto a special testing stick or into a capillary tube. It takes 7 minutes for the test to evaluate a full cholesterol profile.
The pharmacist will also collect other relevant information, take your blood pressure and use a tool such as the QRISK score to calculate your heart disease risk.
What happens next?
You will be given your cholesterol result, which will also be emailed to you and put on the NHS app. The pharmacist will give lifestyle and dietary advice. For those who need it, they will be able to initiate treatment with statins.
New scheme is based on the results of a pilot study
The new scheme has been introduced following the results of a recent pilot study run by Barts NHS Trust in association with UCLPartners and HEART UK. 2,493 patients were tested at 61 community pharmacies between January 2025 and March 2026. 19% of those tested were found to be in need of some form of medication, and 88 people were started on statins. That’s almost 1 in 5 of those tested.
Medical reaction to this new scheme
In the medical journal Pulse, Health Minister Alison McGovern made the following comments:
‘By making it possible to get a cholesterol check in just seven minutes at a local pharmacy, we’re making it easier for people to spot potential problems earlier and take action to protect their health. Early detection can help prevent serious conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, helping people stay healthier for longer while reducing pressure on NHS services.’
David Webb, chief pharmaceutical officer for England, also spoke in favour of this initiative. He said,
‘By making it easier for people to get a quick and convenient cholesterol health check on their local high street, we can spot ticking time bombs earlier, helping people take action, and prevent heart attacks and strokes before they happen.’
GP spokesmen have pointed out that this will inevitably increase work for GP practice teams. Neither the pilot nor the new scheme has been properly costed out. The new initiative needs to be carefully monitored and cost-effectiveness determined.
How to find a free cholesterol test at a London pharmacy
Most of the pharmacies taking part in this scheme are in East or Northeast London. For more information, contact NHS Northeast London.
