Planning

National Specialist Medicines Service (NSMS) 2026-29

NHS ENGLAND

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

21 May 2025 at 12:46

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

08 Apr 2025 at 16:12

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS England is planning a procurement process for the National Specialist Medicines Service (NSMS) 2026-2029. This initiative, which falls under the services category, aims to commission contracts that support national policies and priorities in medicine use and safety. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with key dates including a future notice anticipated on 2nd June 2025, and a contract period set to commence on 1st April 2026 and conclude on 31st March 2029, with potential renewal until 2030. NHS England, operating from Wellington House, London, is seeking to engage the market, and preliminary engagement was set to conclude by 22nd April 2025. The total contract value stands at £36 million, and this opportunity aligns with the central governmental public authority's initiatives in the United Kingdom.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in pharmacy services and medicine management solutions. It is particularly well-suited for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) capable of developing cost-effective and standardised tools and processes, providing expert clinical quality assurance, and enhancing frontline service delivery. Companies with expertise in strategic commissioning of medicine-related services will find substantial opportunities to contribute to the NHS's objectives, potentially expanding their business reach and impact within the healthcare sector. Engaging in this procurement process allows businesses to influence the optimisation of the NHS medicines budget, thereby enhancing access to innovative treatments and supporting patient care across the UK.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

National Specialist Medicines Service (NSMS) 2026-29

Notice Description

NHS England is commissioning the 2026-2029 National Specialist Medicines Service (NSMS) contract. The contract holders will support in the implementation of national policies and priorities in medicines use and safety by developing cost effective standardised tools and processes that can be adopted/integrated locally. It will provide expert clinical quality assurance in medicines technical services and supports the NHS to get best value optimisation from the medicines budgets. In addition, it will provide clinical support for frontline service delivery in relation to medicines and to enable strategic commissioning of medicines related services. The NSMS will provide essential information on clinical and cost effectiveness use of medicines and their supply at local and national level to ensure patient access to essential treatment to a range of stakeholders and citizens. The premise of the contract is that these activities can

Planning Information

NHS England is commissioning the 2026-2029 National Specialist Medicines Service (NSMS) contract. The contract holders will support in the implementation of national policies and priorities in medicines use and safety by developing cost effective standardised tools and processes that can be adopted/integrated locally. It will provide expert clinical quality assurance in medicines technical services and supports the NHS to get best value optimisation from the medicines budgets. In addition, it will provide clinical support for frontline service delivery in relation to medicines and to enable strategic commissioning of medicines related services. The NSMS will provide essential information on clinical and cost effectiveness use of medicines and their supply at local and national level to ensure patient access to essential treatment to a range of stakeholders and citizens. The premise of the contract is that these activities can avoid duplication at local level giving local clinicians more time for their patients and that opportunities to improve quality and value are taken up comprehensively. This preliminary market engagement exercise is due for return at 12 noon on 22 April 2025.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04ff2c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023905-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85149000 - Pharmacy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£30,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS ENGLAND
Contact Name
Jacqueline Connett-Powell
Contact Email
jacqueline.powell9@nhs.net
Contact Phone
07919528167

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8UG
Post Town
South East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Waterloo & South Bank
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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