Agenda item

Oluwatoyin Sosanya MPH, MRPharmS, Public Health Pharmacy and Quality Lead) was in attendance for this item

1.    Dr Ghosh introduced the report which set out the plan to update the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) and proposed sign-off process to ensure 2025 PNA was published according to legislative requirements. The current Kent PNA was published in September 2022 and was due to be revised by October 2025. A specialist provider called Soar Beyond Limited had been commissioned, via a competitive tender process, to support delivery of the 2025 PNA. The PNA was a key document used by the National Health Service (NHS) and Kent County Council (KCC), to support commissioning decisions; including, but not limited to, approving applications to open new pharmacies and commissioning services through pharmacies based on population health needs. Dr Ghosh advised that due to the scheduled 2025 Health and Wellbeing Board meetings and local Kent election, approval was sought from the Health and Wellbeing Board to delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, to draft and approve the first iteration of the PNA to go out to statutory consultation.

2.    Ms Sosanya added that the PNA would assess the current pharmaceutical services in Kent, including pharmacies, dispensing doctors, and appliance contractors. The goal was to identify gaps and make recommendations for improvement across the county. The current PNA was published in September 2022, and a revised version must be published within three years.

3.    The process of refreshing the PNA began in September last year, and a steering group had been established. Members include representatives from Kent County Council engagement, the Kent Public Health Observatory, the local medical committee, the local pharmaceutical committee, Health Watch, and the ICB. The steering group had met twice and completed several activities, including data collection, stakeholder engagement via questionnaires, validation of the current pharmaceutical list, mapping exercises, and drafting the health needs chapter based on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). The information was being triangulated, and the first draft was scheduled to be ready by the end of March or beginning of April. Once approved, it would go to consultation for 60 days. The final draft would be brought to members at the September Health and Wellbeing Board for approval and publication before October.

4.    In response to comments and questions from Members of the Board, it was noted:

(a)  In response to whether online pharmaceutical providers are captured within the needs assessment, Ms Sosanya clarified that online pharmacies within the health and wellbeing board boundary would be included in the pharmaceutical list, and that they had the capability to supply medicines nationwide.

(b)  With regard to whether the assessment focused solely on providers based in the area rather than accessibility. Ms Sosanya confirmed that online pharmacies were counted as providers within the Kent boundary, although essential services such as picking up prescriptions required physical pharmacies. Ms Sosanya clarified that the scope of the pharmaceutical needs assessment aimed to evaluate the population's access to pharmaceutical services. This included tests, locally commissioned services, services by the Integrated Care Board (ICB), and nationally commissioned services for dispensing medication. The assessment would consider dividing Kent into districts to ensure each district's population could access essential services listed by the NHS, as well as advanced services under the NHS contract.

(c)  The discussion underscored the importance of ensuring comprehensive access to both essential and advanced pharmaceutical services for all residents within the Kent boundary. The assessment will involve a detailed analysis of service availability and accessibility across different districts, addressing any gaps in provision.

(d)  It was noted that online pharmacies supplied medicines similarly to high street pharmacies, however, concerns were raised regarding the lack of additional services , such as treating minor illnesses and conducting health checks, which were beneficial to primary care and assurance was sought that future assessments would include additional services. Ms Sosanya confirmed that discussions had taken place with ICB colleagues and a list of advanced services provided by each pharmacy had been obtained. This would be highlighted in the PNA.

5.    RESOLVED that the Kent Health and Wellbeing Board:

(a)  AGREE the production plan and sign-off process of the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025

(b)  DELEGATE authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, to draft and approve the first iteration of the PNA to go out to statutory consultation.

(c)  DELEGATE authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, to revise the PNA following the statutory consultation and identify if a subsequent consultation period is required.

(d)  CONFIRM that approval of the PNA will be subject to decision making by the Health and Wellbeing Board in the autumn of 2025