Lateral Flow Device Tests Supply Service (LFD Service)
The NHS 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, and allows eligible patients (see below) to obtain free LFD test kits from participating pharmacies.
This is a walk-in service where patients or their representatives can collect one box of 5 LFD tests from a participating community pharmacy on confirmation that the patient is part of the potentially eligible for COVID-19 treatments cohort.
Wherever possible, eligible patients should obtain LFD tests via the service in advance of developing symptoms.
| IMPORTANT: Changes to Patient Cohort Eligibility (May 2025)
Following an update to NICE guidance on antiviral treatment for COVID which removes some of the cohorts of patients eligible for antivirals, these changes will be reflected in the LFD service – see here. |
Eligible Patients
The list of patients (aged 12 years and over) that are eligible to access LFD tests via the service (because they are at risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 and therefore are potentially eligible for COVID-19 treatments) can be found in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance: Supporting information on risk factors for progression to severe COVID-19. (updated on 1st May 2025).
See the CPE factsheet – Eligible Patient Groups for the LFD Service
Signing Up to Provide the 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) portal.
Funding and Claiming Payment
A service fee of £4.10 + VAT (from 1st April 2025) will be paid for each completed transaction of the supply of one box of five COVID-19 LFD test kits and the cost of tests supplied will be paid according to arrangements set out in the Drug Tariff (paragraph 81 of Part VIC).
Pharmacy owners need to submit their claims for payment within the MYS portal, as part of the normal month end claims process.
Claims for payment should be submitted within one month of, and no later than three months from the claim period for the chargeable activity provided. Claims which relate to work completed more than three months after the claim period in question, will not be paid.
Signposting Patients
A service finder, on the NHS website, lets members of the public and healthcare professionals search for a pharmacy that offers free COVID-19 rapid LFD tests via the LFD Service (see https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/find-a-pharmacy-that-offers-free-covid-19-rapid-lateral-flow-tests/). It is therefore important that pharmacies update their NHS Profile Manager to show that the service is available at their pharmacy (it will be listed as ‘COVID-19 lateral flow tests (eligible NHS patients)’ in the Treatments and Services section).
Last Updated: 22nd May 2025
