DHSC publishes pharmaceutical needs assessment guidance

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published guidance on pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs).

PNAs, a crucial part of the market entry system, supports commissioning decisions based on patient needs.

These are developed by Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) to manage pharmaceutical services – including market entry and local commissioning – in their localities.

The guidance comprises legislative background, an overview of the PNA process, the required engagement with members of the public and relevant contractors, and information needed in PNAs.

“HWBs must prepare PNAs to national comparable standards and the new DHSC guidance to Health and Wellbeing Boards updates the existing guidance available for local authority HWBs,” the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee stated.

The negotiator says it will soon publish the PNA guidance for LPCs.