A Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) is an assessment of need for pharmaceutical services in a Health and Wellbeing Board area. These pharmaceutical services include the range of services commissioned by NHS England and Improvement (NHSE&I) from pharmacies (including distance selling premises), dispensing appliance contractors, and dispensing doctors in rural areas. It is used by NHSE&I 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 NHSE&I 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 Assessment and the priorities in the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.