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A number of East London pharmacies are offering rapid cholesterol testing through a new NHS pilot. 

Barts Health NHS Trust announced last week that it is working with health research organisation UCL Partners to offer a new, free seven-minute test that shows a patient’s cholesterol levels and estimates their risk of heart disease in the next 10 years.  

The service, which also refers patients onwards to receive lifestyle advice, is a collaboration between Barts Health’s cardiovascular disease prevention unit, Community Pharmacy North East London and other organisations.  

Chief pharmaceutical officer David Webb recently visited Lansbury Pharmacy in Tower Hamlets to have his cholesterol checked. 

“Pathfinder sites have started to prescribe lipid lowering therapy creating a pathway from testing to prescribing and contributing to the NHS 10-year plan,” said Barts Health NHS Trust, adding that 220 people in East London die each month from heart and circulatory conditions.

Jagjot Kaur Chahal, a cardiovascular disease prevention lead pharmacist, commented: “This quick test helps people find out if they’re at risk before something serious happens.  

“Pharmacies are a convenient, trusted place to get checked and take control of your heart health.” 

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