High street pharmacies are to start offering heart health checkups in a move that could save thousands of lives every year. From October, every NHS pharmacy in England will be able to provide blood pressure checks to people aged 40 and over. The deal is part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework, a deal between NHS England, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the Department of Health and Social Care. According to NHS estimates, 3,700 strokes and 2,500 heart attacks could be prevented as a result of the tests and about 2,000 lives could be saved over the next five years. Dr Shahed Ahmad, national clinical director for cardiovascular disease prevention, said: “Cardiovascular disease claims 136,000 lives a year and is a major cause of health inequalities, with about half of heart attacks and strokes associated with high blood pressure.” The NHS began piloting the checks in autumn 2019 with full rollout starting from October. The deal includes an updated pharmacy quality scheme (PQS), which features requirements related to “patient safety and managing risks related to transmission of Covid-19”. Criteria include training regarding health inequalities and “producing an action plan” to actively promote Covid-19 vaccinations, particularly in black, Asian and minority ethnic and low-uptake communities. Although hesitancy is reducing, lower vaccination rates are particularly marked among people from African and Caribbean backgrounds. As part of the new contract, chemists will start to offer advice and care to smokers who have recently been discharged from hospital. Patients will be able to receive support sessions over 12 weeks with a trained member of the pharmacy team. Last week, a government proposal to raise the age at which people qualify for free prescriptions from 60 to 66 was criticised by charities that provide support to elderly people. The health minister, Lord Bethell, launched a consultation on pushing the age up to 66 – matching the state pension age – in July. Prof Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “More high street heart checks for blood pressure will mean more rapid detection of killer conditions and quicker treatment for patients who need it. “Pharmacies are in the heart of communities and so they are ideally placed to provide these convenient checks so if you are worried about your health, please do get tested – it could save your life.”