Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus has published its PNA which looks at pharmaceutical services in the borough.
The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) reviews what services are currently being offered and identified any gaps where new ones might be needed.
Its aim is to ensure there is adequate provision of core services like the supply of medicines and additional services like healthy lifestyle advice, stop smoking support and emergency hormonal contraception.
It can also be used to support and extend existing pharmaceutical services to deliver benefits to local patients.
It has looked at the roles of community pharmacies or chemists and other pharmaceutical service providers such as internet pharmacies/chemists and appliance contractors that supply medical appliances like colostomy bags.
To provide a good health service the Care Trust Plus needs to review regularly what services are available, what local people need and how things might change in the future.
Through the PNA the Care Trust Plus is able to look at how best to commission or buy community pharmaceutical services that people in Blackburn with Darwen need.
Residents and healthcare professionals were asked for feedback on the draft document and their views were taken in to consideration and incorporated where possible.
Neil Matthewman, managing director of health services, said: “Pharmacies and pharmaceutical suppliers play an important role and are vital to the health of the community.
"This assessment is part of our commitment to making sure the borough is served by pharmaceutical services."
You can view the PNA here >>>
