Community pharmacies in East London are taking a bold step forward in healthcare with the expansion of a cholesterol testing pilot program that began in November 2024. Originally launched in just one pharmacy, this initiative has now grown to encompass an impressive 70 pharmacies across the region.
The program, introduced by Barts Health NHS Trust on January 9, 2026, employs a quick seven-minute point-of-care test (POCT) that not only measures cholesterol levels but also provides an estimate of an individual's risk for heart disease over the next decade.
This collaborative effort involves key players such as Barts Health NHS Trust, NHS North East London, the North East London Local Pharmaceutical Committee, UCLPartners, and Heart UK, utilizing a test developed by Barts Health NHS Trust.
Sotiris Antoniou, who serves as the divisional director of clinical services at St Bartholomew's Hospital and is the clinical lead for this initiative, shared insights with The Pharmaceutical Journal on January 12, 2025. He pointed out that during the initial phase of the pilot, approximately 20% of individuals tested were found to be at an elevated cardiovascular risk. Many of these patients would not have had timely access to lipid testing through conventional healthcare pathways.
Antoniou emphasized the importance of immediate clinical discussions, risk assessment, and management options that arise from the on-the-spot testing, which could otherwise lead to delays if referrals were necessary.
The recent expansion of this program builds upon its initial success by incorporating cholesterol POCT into established prescribing frameworks, bolstered by the support of independent prescribing pharmacists and robust clinical governance from secondary care facilities.
Barts Health NHS Trust reported a concerning statistic: around 220 individuals in the East London area succumb to heart and circulatory diseases each month. By transitioning lipid management services from hospital environments into community pharmacies, the program aims to enhance access to essential services and foster long-term adherence for those already diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions.
Antoniou further stated that this initiative exemplifies the collaborative efforts of primary and secondary care teams working at the community level, which is crucial in tackling disparities in cardiovascular health.
He concluded, "Ultimately, this pilot seeks to produce the evidence necessary for future funding decisions. The preliminary data strongly indicate that establishing a nationwide cholesterol POCT service in community pharmacies is both practical and beneficial, supplementing existing NHS prevention strategies and promoting a comprehensive shift towards proactive, population-centric cardiovascular care.”
This aligns with the NHS's ten-year health plan, released in July 2025, which outlines a vision for delivering more care within community settings and emphasizes a preventative approach rather than one solely focused on treating illness.
Stay tuned as this innovative project unfolds, and consider the implications it may have for healthcare accessibility and effectiveness in your community.
