Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA)

What is a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA)? 

The government requires all Health and Wellbeing Boards to produce an assessment of pharmaceutical services in its area every three years. The next Kingston assessment is due by the end of September 2025. This document is called the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA).  

The PNA is a report of the current and future  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. 

The new draft Kingston PNA 2025 report has been produced by a Steering Group on behalf of the Kingston Partnership Board (Health and Wellbeing Board), with the support of the external Soar Beyond specialist team. We are now doing a public consultation on this draft report.

What are Pharmaceutical Services?

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

• sale of medicines to the public
• dispensing of medicines and appliances on prescription
• 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 (PNA)? 

The PNA will be used by NHS England, Kingston Council, and the Integrated Care Board 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 required to consult with any patient, consumer or community group in the borough who has an interest in the provision of pharmaceutical services. Your comments will be considered and will help 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 24 March until 25 May 2025. 
Please read the Kingston Draft PNA in full and then complete the survey on our Let’s Talk website 

For any further information or an alternative format please email phps@kingston.gov.uk or phone 01442 927972 and ask for the Kingston PNA team.