Two lobby groups criticised a plan by Woolworths to offer health checks to customers, although the plan drew interest from consumer advocates.

The retailer confirmed on Tuesday it has had nurses checking blood pressure and cholesterol across nine stores in NSW and Queensland since October. This trial will be reviewed before any decision on a full store roll-out is taken.

“It would be highly inappropriate to conduct health checks in a location that sold alcohol, cigarettes, sugary drinks, energy drinks, and high-fat foods.”: AMA president Associate Professor Brian Owler Credit:Glenn Hunt

The plan upset the Australian ­Medical Association and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. The guild has long opposed any moves by supermarket retailers to encroach on its patch.In markets such as the United States and the United Kingdom, supermarkets are able to open pharmacies and sell prescription drugs, but in Australia that activity is restricted to registered pharmacists.