PNA guidance for LPCs published

PSNC and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have both published guidance on pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs).

The PSNC guidance aims to assist LPCs engagement with the development of PNAs, particularly those who sit on the local authority steering groups established to support the drafting of PNAs. The guidance includes information on the role of LPCs in the development of PNAs, information requirements for PNAs from a community pharmacy perspective and top tips for LPCs to consider. PSNC has also produced two questionnaires (a long and short version) for use by LPCs to gather information on the services offered by their contractors to inform discussions on PNA development. The forms can be downloaded here.

Read PSNC Briefing 045/21: Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments Guidance for LPCs

The PNA is a crucial part of the market entry system, and supports commissioning decisions based on patient needs, it is important that Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) prepare PNAs to national comparable standards and the DHSC guidance to HWBs. is an update of the existing guidance for local authority HWBs. The DHSC guidance provides information on the legislative background, an overview of the process (from gathering health and demographic data to consultation and publication), the required engagement with members of the public and relevant contractors and the information to be contained in PNAs.