Plan will ensure Fylde coast has right number of chemists

The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment must be updated every three years with the next one due to be published in April 2021.

The information is then used to consider any applications for new pharmacies to open in any area.

Blackpool's director of public health Dr Arif Rajpura told a meeting of the town's Health and Wellbeing Board: "We need this document to make decisions when new applications for pharmacies come in.

"The NHS has strict rules around who can open pharmacies and where, and there are further rules around 24-hour pharmacies."

A report to the board said: "Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments (PNAs) are used for a number of purposes including consideration of applications for new pharmacies in an area, as well as by commissioners to identify local health needs that could be addressed by pharmacy services."

It also helps ensure all pharmacies are viable businesses.

The assessment will involve all 14 local authorities across Lancashire including Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.