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New initiative brings cholesterol-lowering injections to East London pharmacies

27 November 2025
Barts Health NHS Trust, in collaboration with UCLPartners and with funding from the British Heart Foundation (BHF), is piloting delivery of cholesterol-lowering Inclisiran injections through community pharmacies in East London.

Traditionally administered in a hospital setting, Inclisiran, approved by NICE, requires just two annual injections to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce heart attack and stroke risk.

The pilot, funded by a £198,000 BHF grant, aims to improve access to treatment, reduce waiting times, and tackle health inequalities in cardiovascular care.

The pilot is part of the ELOPE-CVD programme. It is led by Professor Riyaz Patel, Consultant Cardiologist at the Barts Heart Centre, and will run across selected pharmacies to explore:

  • Administering injections to patients currently attending hospitals
  • Starting treatment for those awaiting hospital appointments
  • Identifying new at-risk patients via pharmacy-based cholesterol testing

Community pharmacies, accessible to 99% of people in deprived areas, offer a convenient setting for preventive heart care. The pilot will be evaluated for safety, effectiveness, and impact on health outcomes, supporting the NHS Long Term Plan to deliver care closer to home.

Barts Health and UCLPartners have recently led an initiative in community pharmacies to deliver seven minute lipid tests. Combined with the introduction of Inclisiran, the aim is to develop a streamlined pathway for patients to be tested and treated in one place close to home.

 Professor Riyaz Patel said:

“This project will potentially enable us to bring care closer to home for thousands of people who need cholesterol-lowering therapy but may find it difficult to attend hospital appointments. By partnering with our highly experienced community pharmacists, we can reach patients faster, reduce waiting times, and address inequalities in access to cardiovascular care.”

Dr Sotiris Antoniou, clinical lead for the ELOPE-CVD PoCT (point of care testing) workstream at Barts Health NHS Trust, added:

“Community pharmacies are one of the most accessible parts of the NHS, with 99% of people in deprived areas living within a 20-minute walk of a pharmacy. Integrating Inclisiran into pharmacy services unlocks a more convenient and equitable way to deliver preventive heart care.”