Shaping local pharmacy services: What you need to know about the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment
Every three years, the local health and care system carries out a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. This important review helps planners understand what pharmacy services are available, what local people need, and how things might change in the future.
The next updated assessment of North Yorkshire and York pharmacies will be published in October 2025.
Here’s what it is, why it matters, and what happens next.
What is the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment?
The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment looks at the current pharmacy services in a local area and helps decision-makers understand whether they are meeting people's health needs. It considers things like:
- Where pharmacies are located
- What services they provide
- The needs of local people now and in the future
By gathering evidence from a range of sources—including pharmacy providers and the public—it gives a clear picture of what’s working well and where improvements might be needed.
Why it matters
Pharmacies play a vital role in supporting our health and wellbeing. As well as dispensing medicines, many also offer health advice, support to quit smoking, and help with managing long-term conditions.
The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment helps ensure that services are accessible, effective, and fit for the future. It guides decisions on:
- Whether a new pharmacy is needed in a certain area
- What services should be funded in community pharmacies
- How local health needs are changing over time
Simply put, it’s a key tool to make sure pharmacy services work for everyone—especially as our population grows and changes.
What happens next?
Feedback from the public and pharmacy providers has now closed. This input is being carefully reviewed alongside other data to help shape the final report. The revised Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment will be published in October 2025.
Once it’s published, it will be used by North Yorkshire Council and the City of York Council (also known as 'local authorities') and NHS organisations to help plan and fund pharmacy services that meet the needs of our communities.
Thank you for sharing your views
We’d like to thank everyone who took part and shared their experiences and ideas. Your voices help make local health and care services better.
If you’d like to stay updated about healthcare news across the county, or hear more about how your feedback makes a difference, sign up to receive updates from Healthwatch.
