Patients with high cholesterol could be diagnosed and given statins by pharmacists for the first time under NHS plans to reduce deaths from heart attacks and strokes. The proposed change would allow high street chemists to diagnose and prescribe the cholesterol-lowering drugs without a GP appointment, potentially expanding access to millions more people.
NHS England says the move 'could prevent thousands more deaths and countless more heart attacks and strokes' by getting hundreds of thousands more people onto statins. Eight million Britons already take statins, but millions more with high cholesterol are not receiving treatment. Currently, pharmacists can only supply low-dose statins without a prescription, a practice that rarely occurs due to lack of manufacturer availability.
However, the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) voiced alarm, warning of potential misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment by pharmacists. The British Heart Foundation also expressed concerns about the appropriateness of prescribing statins without prior GP consultation and whether pharmacists are suited for this role.
NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens proposed the change at a conference in Manchester, stating it would offer more convenient care. A review led by Dr Keith Ridge and Dr Nikki Kanani will examine the plan, which also requires approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the RCGP, acknowledged statins' effectiveness but highlighted risks of over-diagnosis and over-treatment. A recent study of 165,000 UK patients found nearly half did not achieve the desired 40% reduction in 'bad' cholesterol levels. Prof Sir Nilesh Samani of the BHF stressed that starting high-dose statins is a significant decision requiring thorough dialogue with a GP.
