A consultation has been launched to help shape the future of pharmaceutical services in Somerset.
Somerset Council is seeking public input to assess the current and future needs of pharmaceutical provision in the county.
The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), produced by Public Health Somerset, aims to support the decision-making process of NHS England, Somerset Integrated Care Board, and Somerset Council.
It will help determine whether new pharmacies should be encouraged or permitted to open.
The PNA focuses on access to pharmaceutical services but does not assess the quality of these services.
The consultation is based on the draft PNA, and seeks to ascertain whether the report adequately covers the necessary information and accurately represents pharmaceutical services in Somerset.
It can be viewed at somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com/public-health/pna-consultation-2025/supporting_documents/PNA%20First%20Draft%20202528%20for%20consultation.pdf.
As of January 2025, Somerset had 91 community pharmacies and 23 dispensing GPs.
The gap analysis indicates that the distribution and opening times of these facilities are generally appropriate, and the services largely cover the county.
Councillor Graham Oakes, lead member for public health, climate change and environment, said: "Based on the information we have available, there are no gaps identified in current pharmacy provision in Somerset.
"But your views on this will be invaluable and we invite anyone with relevant information to participate in this consultation to help us shape our assessment."
The consultation will close on Monday, June 16, and any feedback provided will be used to inform the final report, which is scheduled for publication by September 2025.
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