A Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) is an assessment of need for pharmaceutical services in a Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) area. It is used by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in its consideration of applications to join the pharmaceutical list.
A PNA considers the health needs of the population, the provision of pharmaceutical services commissioned by the ICB that can support health needs, and therefore whether there are any potential gaps in pharmaceutical service delivery over a 3-year period.
The PNA for County Durham links to the health needs identified in the Joint Strategic Needs and Assets Assessment and the priorities in the Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
The key conclusion of the PNA 2025-28 is that there are sufficient pharmaceutical services across County Durham. The PNA includes information on the following:
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- The number and geographical distribution of pharmacies and dispensing GP practices in County Durham. In March 2025, there are 118 pharmacies and 12 dispensing GP practices in County Durham. These are presented in 6 localities. There are no dispensing appliance contractors in County Durham.
- There is a good distribution of pharmaceutical services in areas of high population density, and in areas with more significant health needs (i.e. areas with a high population density of older people, and in areas of deprivation).
- A reasonable distribution of pharmacies exists with extended and weekend opening hours in all localities.
- Out of area pharmaceutical services do not provide a necessary dispensing service in County Durham.
- The estimated builds of future housing developments by 2028 will not require new pharmaceutical services.
- County Durham has 22 pharmacies per 100,000 population. This is higher than the England average of 21 per 100,000.
- Public surveys of pharmaceutical services indicate that on average 88% of people who responded stated that they could easily access pharmaceutical services.