Suffolk pharmaceutical needs assessment

Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board is required to produce an assessment of pharmaceutical service in its area every three years. This is a statutory obligation under the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013.

The next assessment is due by the end of the September 2025. This is called the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA). 

The PNA 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 in future pharmaceutical service provision. As part of this process there must be a consultation period that is at least 60 days.

You can read the draft PNA in full:

What are Pharmaceutical Services?

Pharmaceutical services are one of the many services currently provided under the NHS by community pharmacies and include:

• dispensing of medicines and appliances on prescription
• sale of medicines to the public
• providing advice to the public on medicines, coping with ill health or general
• health and wellbeing
• receiving waste medicines for safe destruction

Who will use the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment?

The PNA will be used by NHS England, Suffolk County Council, and the Integrated Care Boards to make decisions when applications for new pharmacies are received, and for the commissioning of other services that could be delivered by community pharmacies and other providers.

Who are we consulting and why?

We are consulting with any patient, consumer or community group in the county who has an interest in the provision of pharmaceutical services. Your comments will inform the final Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment which will be published in September 2025.

When will the consultation take place?

The consultation will take place from Monday 12 May until Sunday 13 July 2025.

For any further information or alternative format please contact Natacha Bines, Public Health and Communities Suffolk on 01473 260091 or  natacha.bines@suffolk.gov.uk