Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment
Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA)
The Central Bedfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board has a statutory duty to produce and publish a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for its area every three years.
Community pharmacies play a vital role in the health system, providing a range of services including:
- Dispensing and repeat dispensing of NHS medicines, medical appliances and devices
- Support for self-care
- Signposting patients to other healthcare professionals
- Taking part in national and local public health campaigns (e.g. encouraging healthy lifestyles)
This PNA provides a comprehensive assessment of the current and future pharmaceutical needs of the local population over the three year cycle. It outlines the local health needs, assesses the availability of existing pharmaceutical services, and identifies any service gaps.
It is also a key strategic document used by the local NHS to inform decisions on applications to open new pharmacies, and to support wider planning of services to meet local population health needs.
2025 Reports
The final version of the PNA for Central Bedfordshire can be accessed via the hyperlink below.