A Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) is a health needs assessment specifically identifying how pharmacy services are helping to meet the health needs of the population and how they could help in the future.
The purpose of the document is to inform future planning, developing, and commissioning of pharmaceutical services in Wigan Borough. Health and Wellbeing Boards have a statutory duty to develop and publish a PNA under the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations (2013) (external link).
Health and Wellbeing Boards are mandated to produce an assessment of local pharmaceutical services in their area every three years. Wigan’s next Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment must be published by 1st October 2025.
Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Consultation 2025-2028
Wigan Borough’s Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2025-2028 is now out for its public consultation, which lasts for a minimum of 60-days starting on 26th June 2025.
The draft PNA is available to view below. The PDF is available to download by clicking on the two arrows in the top right corner of the window and selecting the 'Save' option.
The PNA assesses both the current and future needs for pharmaceutical services in the area, ensuring these services remain accessible, effective, and responsive to the evolving needs of our local communities. The PNA is then used to guide decisions regarding market entry to the pharmaceutical list, including the approval of new pharmacies, the relocation of existing premises, and changes to pharmacy operating hours or the range of services provided.
Why your views matter
As part of the NHS Pharmaceutical Services Regulations 2013, the Wigan Health and Wellbeing Board is required to consult a specified range of relevant organisations on a draft of the PNA at least once during the process of developing the document. This consultation is also open to members of the public. Your feedback will be used to inform further development of the PNA which will be published this year.
Please tell us what you think of the PNA:
What happens next
Your comments will inform the final Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment which will be published in the Autumn of 2025.
Wigan Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2022
This Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) provides an assessment of the need for pharmaceutical services in Wigan Borough.
It follows and updates the position of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) published in March 2018 and will be used to make decisions when applications are received to open new pharmacies or move existing pharmacies and will also form the basis of commissioning plans for services that will be provided by community pharmacies.
The current PNA has been through a consultation period and the final version together with a report on the consultation is available below: