LFD Service
The Lateral flow device tests supply service for patients potentially eligible for COVID-19 treatments (LFD service) was commissioned as an Advanced service from 6th November 2023.
Further information can be found via: LFD Service – Community Pharmacy England (cpe.org.uk)
| PLEASE NOTE: Following the announcement on 31st March that arrangements for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 contract have been finalised, we are currently reviewing and updating the content on this webpage. |
| NHS England has confirmed that the LFD test supply service for patients will continue as an Advanced service through 2025/26.
From 1st April 2025, the service fee will also increase to £4.10 + VAT. |
Following an update to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on antiviral treatment for COVID-19 the following patient cohorts are no longer eligible:
- People aged 85 years and over
- People with end-stage heart failure who have a long-term ventricular assistance device
- People on the organ transplant waiting list
- People resident in a care home who have diabetes, heart failure, are aged 70 years and over or have a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or more
- People currently in a hospital who have heart failure, diabetes, are aged 70 years and over or have a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or more
To support you CPE have updated their factsheet detailing the eligible patient groups for this service.
In addition, CPE have produced an explainer for patients that pharmacy teams can use to support conversations with patients who were previously eligible for free LFD tests but due to the updated NICE guidance are no longer eligible.
Please remember you can order your own stock of the LFD kits directly from your normal wholesalers.
The following key documents have now been published. Please read these documents before providing the service.
- Service specification– The full service requirements are detailed in the specification (updated May 2025)
- Secretary of State Directions – The Secretary of State Directions provide the legal basis for the provision of the service.
- Part VIC of the Drug Tariff – The Drug Tariff Determination sets out the funding provisions for the service.
Sign up to provide service
Pharmacy owners must notify NHS England that they intend to provide the service by completion of an electronic registration through the NHS Business Services Authority’s (NHSBSA) Manage Your Service (MYS) application.
Visit the CPE LFD service Frequently Asked Questions page for FAQs on the service requirements.
Team briefing sheet for the service (Updated May 2025)
Factsheet detailing the eligible patient groups (Updated May 2025)
Explainer for patients – Pharmacy teams can use this support conversations with patients who were previously eligible for free LFD tests (Updated May 2025)
