A Shot in the Arm: The High Street Cholesterol Test Initiative The National Health Service's plan to offer free high street cholesterol tests is a welcome development, but one that also raises questions about the role of pharmacies in preventative care and the long term implications for public health.
This initiative, which will see participating pharmacies offering seven minute finger prick blood tests to people aged 40 84, marks a significant expansion of the NHS's efforts to reduce heart disease and stroke deaths.
Pharmacies can serve as a vital first line of defense against serious illness, according to David Webb, chief pharmaceutical officer for England.