Have your say on pharmaceutical services in our area
Consultation closed: Friday, 13 June 2025
Consultation opened: Monday, 14 April 2025
What is a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA)?
It is a report on what pharmaceutical services people in Central Bedfordshire need and whether there are any gaps in what is being provided by community pharmacies and other services under the NHS.
Central Bedfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board, which we host, assesses pharmaceutical services in our area every 3 years and the next report is this year.
This consultation was informed by a survey conducted earlier in the year, which helped shape the content of the current pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA).
What are pharmaceutical services?
Pharmaceutical services are one of the many services currently provided under the NHS by community pharmacies and include:
- dispensing medicines and appliances on prescription
- sale of medicines
- providing advice on medicines, coping with ill health or general health and wellbeing
- receiving waste medicines for safe destruction
Some pharmaceutical services may be provided by dispensing GP practices or dispensing appliance contractors.
Who will use the pharmaceutical needs assessment?
The PNA will be used by the local NHS and NHS England to help decide on applications for new pharmacies. It is also a key resource that helps the Council and the NHS commission other services from community pharmacies for our population.
Who were we consulting and why?
This is an important document and a number of organisations, including those providing pharmaceutical services in Central Bedfordshire, were invited to comment and feedback on this report.
As our population may require services provided by community pharmacies and appliance contractors, we also welcomed views from anyone living in Central Bedfordshire. Your comments will inform the final pharmaceutical needs assessment which will be published on 1 October 2025.
When did the consultation take place?
The consultation ran from Monday 14 April 2025 until Friday 13 June 2025.
For supporting information, please: