A Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) is a statement of the need for pharmaceutical services. Pharmaceutical services are provided from pharmacies, dispensing appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and local pharmaceutical services. The PNA includes the following information:
-
The demography of the area
-
Whether there is sufficient choice with regard to obtaining pharmaceutical services in the area
-
Ward profiles with insights into the health burden in different Wards and any identified gaps in provision or need
-
Services provided in neighbouring HWB areas and other NHS services provided in its own or neighbouring area which may affect pharmaceutical need in its own area
-
Future planned developments
-
Relevant maps relating to the area.
The PNA is part of the overall planning for health and social care in the health and wellbeing board area, is integrated with the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and includes risks to health and well-being. As a statement of 'need', the PNA analyses the population’s health needs, identifies any gaps in service provision and provides intelligence to create, improve or provide better access.
PNAs are used by NHS England to determine whether to approve the opening of new pharmacies in an area and may be used by clinical commissioning groups and local authorities to inform commissioning decisions.