What is a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA)?

Merton Health and Wellbeing Board is hosted by Merton Council. The government requires every health and wellbeing board to produce an assessment of pharmaceutical services in its area every three years. This document 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.

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 well being
  • receiving waste medicines for safe destruction

Who will use the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment?

The PNA will be used by NHS England, Merton Council, and the Clinical Commissioning Group in the Council 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.

2022 Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

Map showing Pharmacies in Merton