Pharmacies to launch cholesterol checks

Around 100 NHS pharmacies in England will begin offering life-saving cholesterol check-ups this autumn, to reduce heart disease and stroke deaths 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 to walk into participating pharmacies for the quick pin-prick test. The test will analyse a person’s cholesterol profile in just seven minutes, with a pharmacist prescriber then able to provide lifestyle advice and determine whether any treatment is needed. Patients will receive a copy of their results by email.