PNA

What is the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment?

The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) investigates the pharmaceutical needs of our Suffolk population. It looks at services provided by community pharmacies, GP practices that dispense medications and appliance contractors.

More detailed information about the PNA

• The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) provides a comprehensive account of the commissioning environment for pharmaceutical services for the Suffolk area.
• Pharmaceutical services include services provided by local pharmacies, dispensaries at doctors' surgeries, or specialist appliance contractors. Local pharmacies also provide healthcare help and advice. People often go to a pharmacy first when they are concerned about their health.
• Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board have a statutory duty to publish a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) every three years. This is set out in the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013.
• The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment is a report of the present needs for pharmaceutical services. It is used to identify any gaps in current services or improvements that could be made.
• NHS England, Suffolk County Council, and the Integrated Care Boards in Suffolk use it to make decisions when applications for new pharmacies are received. They also use it to commission other services that could be delivered by community pharmacies and other providers.

Should you require the PNA in a different format, please email knowledgeandintelligence@suffolk.gov.uk