Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA)
A pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) is a statement of the needs of pharmaceutical
services for a specified population. The PNA looks at the current provision of
pharmaceutical services across a defined area, makes an assessment of whether this meets
current and future population needs for Staffordshire residents and identifies any potential
gaps in current services or improvements that could be made in future pharmaceutical
service provision.
The Health and Social Care Act 2012 transferred responsibility for developing and updating
of PNAs to health and wellbeing boards (HWBBs). Every HWBB has a statutory responsibility
to publish and keep up to date a PNA for the population in its area which can be used:
- To identify areas where pharmacies can contribute to health and wellbeing priorities
to improve population health and reduce health inequalities. - As an evidence base for local commissioners to identify and commission services
from community pharmacies as appropriate. - By NHS England’s area team to make decisions on any application for opening new
pharmacies and dispensing appliance contractor premises or applications from
current providers of pharmaceutical services to change their existing provision.
In addition, the HWBB is required to keep up-to-date a map of provision of NHS
pharmaceutical services within its area through supplementary statements.
The Government PNA Information Pack is available here.
