New rapid cholesterol test is launched in North East London pharmacies

We are excited to announce the launch of a new rapid lipid test to measure cholesterol levels in community pharmacies across North East London.  

High cholesterol is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke. There are often no symptoms of high cholesterol, making proactive testing crucial. Across East London there are 220 deaths each month due to heart and circulatory diseases, and this has the greatest impact on people from the poorest areas. 

Community pharmacies are ideally placed to address the health inequalities seen in cardiovascular diseases as they are accessible and often walkable for around 90% of the population. 

Delivered in partnership with Barts Health NHS Trust, NHS North East London, North East London Local Pharmaceutical Committee, UCLPartners and Heart UK as part of the East London prevention strategy, this new rapid lipid testing service takes just seven minutes providing a full lipid breakdown and calculates a person’s risk of developing a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years. This advanced rapid cholesterol testing platform (HealthTab™) brings accurate clinical insights in real-time to pharmacists, physicians and patients and will complement the NHS Community Pharmacy Blood Pressure Check Service, helping to identify and manage people who are at risk of heart disease earlier. 

In July 2024 alone, across North East London, community pharmacies conducted blood pressure checks for over 6,000 residents, underlining the growing importance of pharmacies as accessible, trusted hubs for local health support.  

The two year pilot programme, part of the Healthcare Inequalities Programme (InHIP), will begin at Newmans Pharmacy in Plaistow. There are plans to expand the cholesterol testing to additional pharmacies in the coming months.  

Professor Charles Knight, Chief Executive of St Bartholomew’s Hospital said: 

Our community pharmacists play a pivotal role in the health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable populations. In North East London, where deprivation disproportionately impacts access to healthcare, this initiative brings testing directly to the community, not only improving health outcomes but also bridging the gap in healthcare accessibility and equity, ensuring every individual has the opportunity for early detection and timely care.

Dr Raliat Onatade, Chief Pharmacist and Director of Medicines and Pharmacy for NHS North East London, said:   

This is a great initiative, further highlighting the potential for community pharmacy to provide expanded clinical care to local people. Prevention and management of cardiovascular disease is a priority in North East London, and I am delighted that this innovative model of care will be delivered by our pharmacy teams.

Harry Albert, Interim Director of Cardiovascular Health from UCLPartners said: 

We’re excited to be driving adoption of this innovative testing model with our partners in North East London. By using new technology and rethinking care pathways we can give residents greater access to a test that could be lifesaving. We are committed to improving health equality and access to diagnostics that support long-term health across North East London.