Do you need to refresh your pharmaceutical needs assessment?

The health and wellbeing board (HWB) is responsible for producing a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) for its area every three years but changes to the provision of pharmaceutical services may mean it has to publish a new one sooner. There have been significant changes to community pharmacy provision that have affected many areas. Nationally, hundreds of pharmacies have closed; others, some of which were previously required to be open for 100 hours per week, have reduced their opening hours on weekday evenings and/or at the weekend. We are aware that some HWBs have identified a need to start the process of producing their next PNA sooner than they may otherwise have planned and have started to discuss with the relevant integrated care board(s).  If you would like support to consider the implications of the continued closure of pharmacies and/or the loss of opening hours or to produce your next PNA contact enquiries@pcc-cic.org.uk.