Barts Health initiative brings cholesterol-lowering injections to pharmacies
Patients in east London will have easier access to cholesterol-lowering treatment through a pilot delivering Inclisiran injections at community pharmacies.
Traditionally administered in hospital settings, Inclisiran—approved by NICE—requires just two injections a year to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The pilot, run by Barts Health in collaboration with UCLPartners and funded by a £198,000 British Heart Foundation (BHF) grant, aims to make treatment more accessible, reduce waiting times, and address 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, this 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.”