Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Public Survey
Feedback updated 10 Aug 2026
We asked
We asked for your views about how you experience pharmaceutical care across the Isle of Man as patients, carers, and the public including community pharmacies, the pharmacy at Noble’s Hospital (Manx Care) and medical centres etc.
In addition to understanding current experiences, we wanted to identify your needs and expectations for pharmacy services in the future, ensuring that provision is accessible, effective, and aligned with the health needs of our population.
You said
The consultation closed on 13 March, with 425 online responses, and 5 paper copies with most people identifying the area they live. This shows us that responses were from across a wide spread of geographical areas on the island, and with a couple of exceptions, largely reflecting population spread.
The findings demonstrate that community pharmacy services are highly valued and generally well regarded, particularly for prescription dispensing, accessibility, staff knowledge and customer service. However, respondents identified opportunities to improve medicine availability, service accessibility, opening hours, prescribing capabilities and integration with wider health services.
We did
The Department will now engage directly with pharmacy providers and staff who are involved in the delivery of pharmaceutical care across the health and social care system to consider these points along with their own experiences. Views from both surveys will be collated and combined to draft the pharmacy needs assessment. The pharmacy needs assessment will be presented for public consultation by the new year, with a final document published in late spring.
Results updated 10 Aug 2026
What matters most to the public
Text description of infographic: What matters most to people
Access and convenience
Most people travel by car; some walk, use buses, carers or delivery.
Key factors when choosing a pharmacy:
- Close to home
- Easy parking
- Close to medical centre
- Friendly, knowledgeable staff
- Reliable stock availability
Most find it easy to get to their pharmacy, but barriers exist for some.
Opening hours
Generally happy with opening hours.
Improvements most needed:
- Later weekday opening
- Later Saturday opening
- Sunday opening
- Better support for emergencies and people working standard hours
When closed, people usually wait or go to another pharmacy.
Medicines availability
- 67% received all medicines in full on first visit
- 17% had to return later
- Delays of 2+ days common; some waited over a week or never received the medicine
- Stock availability and timely supply are key concerns
Advice and privacy
About half have recently sought advice.
Main reasons:
- Minor illness or health problems
- Advice about medicines
Consultations at the counter, in a room or quieter area.
Privacy rated positively, but could be improved.
Services today and future
Satisfied with current services but want more in future.
Most requested services:
- Pharmacists able to prescribe
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Travel health and vaccinations
- Vitamin B12 injections
- Covid/flu vaccinations
- Winter health checks
- Asthma reviews
Other suggestions: wound care, blood testing, ear syringing, medication reviews, repeat prescription ordering, more Minor Ailments Scheme coverage, 'Pharmacy First'.
Information
Preferred ways to find opening times:
- Manx Care website
- Pharmacy notices/posters
- Online news
- Manx Care social media
- Medical centres
Also suggested: online maps, pharmacy websites and social media.
Delivery and usual pharmacy
- Most don't know or haven't used delivery services
- A smaller number do use delivery, usually free
- Overall satisfaction with opening hours and general services is broadly positive
Private services
Most haven't paid for private services in the last 12 months.
Top services used:
- Private prescriptions
- Covid/flu vaccinations
- Weight loss services
- Travel clinics
- Medicinal cannabis
- Vitamin B12 injections
Nobles Hospital Pharmacy
- 10% responded to this section
- Used mainly to collect medicines for Manx Care patients, often after discharge
- Awareness mixed; usage infrequent
- Half satisfied with opening hours; calls for longer weekday and Saturday hours
- Key improvement themes: more staffing and services, better communication, prioritise discharge medicines, stronger GP links and clearer information/signage
What matters most when choosing a pharmacy
- Medication in stock
- Knowledgeable, friendly staff
- Good location
- Privacy when speaking to a pharmacist
- Range of services and suitable opening times
Also important:
- Shorter waiting times
- Continuity of staff
- Better repeat prescription processes
- Stronger integration with GP practices
- Improved accessibility
Files:
- Consultation Response - Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Public Survey, 271.9 KB (PDF document)
Overview
The purpose of this survey is to gather insight into how people experience pharmaceutical care across the Isle of Man. We want to hear from patients, carers, and the public about the services they receive from community pharmacies, the pharmacy at Noble’s Hospital (Manx Care), medical centres, and online providers.
In addition to understanding current experiences, the survey seeks to identify people’s needs and expectations for pharmacy services in the future, ensuring that provision is accessible, effective, and aligned with the health needs of our population.
Why your views matter
Public views will inform the development of a new Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for the Isle of Man. The purpose of a PNA is to assess the current and future pharmaceutical needs of the population and to determine whether the provision of current pharmacy services is sufficient to meet those needs.
A survey of this kind has not been undertaken since the last PNA in 2019, and your input is vital to ensure that pharmacy services remain accessible, effective, and responsive. The PNA will consider the full range of services delivered by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians — from community pharmacies and online providers to those working within Noble’s Hospital (Manx Care) and other medical practices.
The findings will guide decisions about what services should be available as part of pharmaceutical care, how they are delivered, and how they can best support the public. By contributing to this consultation, you will help shape the future of pharmacy provision across the island.
What happens next
The document will provide a summary of the views expressed on each topic. The summary will then be subject to consultation in Spring 2026 with all the providers of pharmaceutical care on the Island to allow them to contribute.
Once this information has been received by the DHSC a draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment will be produced for consideration by the Department in Summer 2026.
Finally, the Department aims to publish the PNA in Autumn 2026.
Reasonable adjustments and alternative formats
The Department is committed to equal opportunities and our aim is to make our documents easy to use and accessible to all.
The Department will take steps to accommodate any reasonable adjustments and provide such assistance as may reasonably be required to enable access or reply to this consultation.
If this document is required in another format or assistance is required with accessing or replying to this consultation, please email StrategyandPolicy.DHSC@gov.im
Responding to this survey and questions
This consultation can be responded to by clicking on the 'Online survey' link below.
Alternatively you can download a paper version of this consultation from the 'Related' section below and email it to StrategyandPolicy.DHSC@gov.im or post it to:
Department of Health and Social Care,
Head Office,
1st Floor Belgravia House,
Circular Road,
Douglas,
IM1 1AE
Areas
- All Areas
Audiences
- All residents
Interests
- Health
- Performance & statistics
- Public Health
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