East London Expands Free Cholesterol Tests to 70 Pharmacies

Key Points

• A scheme offering free cholesterol tests expands to 70 pharmacies in east London, funded by the Cabinet Office and run with St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
• Builds on a trial in 13 pharmacies last year, aiming to detect early signs of serious cardiovascular conditions.
• Features a seven-minute finger-prick blood test assessing cholesterol levels and estimating heart problem risk over the next 10 years.
• About 1,000 people tested so far, with 163 identified at high risk of heart attack or stroke.
• Fifty patients started cholesterol-lowering therapies directly through pharmacies, bypassing GP referrals.
• Programme clinical lead Sotiris Antoniou emphasises preventing heart attacks to reduce treatment costs.
• Service links patients to support for healthier living, including diet, exercise, and smoking cessation advice.
• Piloted in socially deprived areas like Poplar due to higher cardiovascular risks there.
• Patient Shilpa Patel, tested in Poplar, cited family history of high cholesterol and her father’s early heart attack death.
• Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones highlights reducing GP pressure and potential national rollout if successful.
• Ongoing evaluation compares costs and savings from the scheme.

East London (East London Times) January 9, 2026 – A groundbreaking health initiative to deliver free cholesterol testing has expanded to 70 pharmacies across east London, enhancing access to vital cardiovascular risk assessments in community settings. Funded by the Cabinet Office and operated in partnership with St Bartholomew’s Hospital, the programme builds directly on a successful trial conducted in 13 pharmacies last year. This expansion seeks to identify early warning signs of serious heart conditions through a quick, accessible finger-prick test, empowering pharmacies to play a frontline role in preventive care.

What Is the New Cholesterol Testing Scheme?

The scheme introduces a seven-minute finger-prick blood test designed to measure a patient’s cholesterol levels and estimate their risk of heart problems over the subsequent 10 years. As detailed in coverage from multiple outlets, this test enables rapid screening without the need for hospital visits or lengthy GP appointments. The initiative prioritises accessibility, particularly in underserved communities, by embedding services within everyday pharmacies.

Sotiris Antoniou, the programme’s clinical lead, provided key insights into its impact. He revealed that approximately 1,000 individuals have undergone testing to date, with 163 flagged as being at high risk of heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, 50 patients have been prescribed cholesterol-lowering therapies directly at the pharmacy, streamlining care and avoiding traditional GP pathways.

Why Was the Trial in 13 Pharmacies Successful?

The expansion follows a pilot phase last year involving 13 pharmacies, which demonstrated the model’s effectiveness in detecting at-risk patients early. Antoniou highlighted the preventive focus, stating,

“What we’re trying to do is pick up people in order to identify them as high risk, in order to prevent them from having heart attacks.”

He further underscored the economic rationale:

“We know that the cost of treatment for having a heart attack is far more expensive than trying to prevent somebody having a heart attack.”

This trial laid the groundwork for scaling up, proving that community pharmacies could handle diagnostics and initial interventions competently. The positive outcomes, including direct therapy initiations, validated the approach’s efficiency in reducing downstream healthcare burdens.

How Does the Service Support Healthier Living?

Beyond testing, the programme connects participants to comprehensive lifestyle support, offering tailored advice on diet, exercise, and quitting smoking. This holistic element addresses root causes of cardiovascular disease, promoting long-term wellbeing. By integrating these resources at the point of testing, the scheme fosters immediate behavioural changes.

Antoniou elaborated on the community pharmacy model’s advantages during a visit to a participating site in Poplar, as covered extensively. He noted the strategic focus on “more socially deprived areas” where cardiovascular conditions pose a greater threat.

“We try to incorporate community pharmacies in order to improve the accessibility for testing, in order to pick up those people at high risk and get them on treatment before they come into hospital,”

he added.

What Do Patients Say About the Free Tests?

Patient testimonials underscore the scheme’s real-world value. Shilpa Patel, who availed the free test at a Poplar pharmacy, shared her personal motivation:

“My parents suffered with high cholesterol. My dad died at an early age of a heart attack. I think for me I’m at an age where I should try and stay on top of these things.”

Her story illustrates how family history drives uptake, particularly in high-risk demographics.

Patel’s experience reflects the programme’s success in engaging locals wary of conventional healthcare routes. Such anecdotes, drawn from direct interactions at pilot sites, highlight the tests’ role in empowering individuals to monitor and manage their health proactively.

Who Is Funding and Running the Expansion?

The Cabinet Office provides full funding, partnering with St Bartholomew’s Hospital to oversee operations across the 70 east London pharmacies. This collaboration leverages hospital expertise with pharmacy networks for widespread reach. Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones positioned the initiative within broader government efforts to alleviate pressure on GP surgeries.

Jones stated,

“The scheme is currently being evaluated, so they’ll be able to compare the costs and the savings that are made as a consequence.”

He signalled ambitions for wider impact: if deemed successful, cholesterol tests could roll out nationally, transforming pharmacy-based preventive care.

Why Focus on Socially Deprived Areas Like Poplar?

Targeting deprived locales addresses stark health inequalities, where cardiovascular risks are elevated due to socioeconomic factors. Antoniou, speaking to reporters at the Poplar pharmacy, reaffirmed this priority. The choice of east London boroughs aligns with evidence of higher incidence rates in such communities, making early intervention critical.

This targeted rollout maximises impact, bridging gaps in access that often leave vulnerable groups underserved. By situating services in familiar, convenient locations, the programme overcomes barriers like transport and appointment availability.

What Are the Expected Outcomes and Evaluations?

Early data shows tangible results: 163 high-risk identifications from 1,000 tests, with 50 therapies initiated pharmacy-side. The ongoing evaluation, as noted by Jones, will quantify cost savings against traditional pathways. Success metrics include reduced hospital admissions and improved patient outcomes.

Should these prove favourable, national expansion beckons, potentially redefining primary care delivery. Antoniou’s vision centres on prevention: intervening before crises erupt not only saves lives but curtails escalating NHS expenses.

How Does This Fit into Wider Healthcare Reforms?

Jones framed the scheme as emblematic of pharmacy empowerment, diverting routine diagnostics from overburdened GPs. This aligns with policies promoting community-based services, enhancing efficiency amid rising demand. The Cabinet Office’s investment signals commitment to innovative, scalable solutions.

St Bartholomew’s Hospital’s involvement ensures clinical rigour, from test development to therapy protocols. Together, these elements position pharmacies as health hubs, capable of handling complex screenings alongside everyday dispensing.

What Challenges Might the Expansion Face?

While promising, scaling to 70 sites demands robust training for pharmacy staff and sustained funding. Logistical hurdles in deprived areas, such as variable footfall, could affect uptake. Evaluation will scrutinise these, alongside long-term adherence to therapies and lifestyle advice.

Antoniou acknowledged the high stakes:

“pick up those people at high risk and get them on treatment before they come into hospital.”

Overcoming these will determine if the model endures beyond east London.

Could This Lead to National Cholesterol Testing?

Jones explicitly tied success to nationwide potential:

“If found to be successful, Jones said cholesterol tests at pharmacies could be rolled out nationally.”

This prospect hinges on evaluation data affirming clinical and fiscal benefits. Positive trial precedents bolster optimism for broader adoption.

For east London residents, the expansion offers immediate gains in heart health vigilance. As Antoniou put it, prevention trumps cure—both medically and economically. With patient stories like Patel’s and leadership from figures like Jones, the scheme stands poised to reshape cardiovascular care.