Planning

NHS National Generic Pharmaceuticals - Wave 16a

NHS ENGLAND

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

24 Apr 2026 at 14:58

Planning

21 May 2025 at 17:41

Summary of the contracting process

NHS England is planning a procurement process titled "NHS National Generic Pharmaceuticals - Wave 16a," focusing on the supply of generic pharmaceuticals across various regions in the United Kingdom. This process falls within the pharmaceutical industry category and covers goods for both hospital-only and oral (non-parenteral) products. The procurement has reached the planning stage, with crucial market engagement activities scheduled to occur before 1st February 2027, when the framework agreement officially begins. Suppliers are advised that the framework agreement duration varies but may extend up to 48 months, with further details available in subsequent tender documentation. The NHS aims to ensure a seamless supply chain and encourage engagement with potential suppliers during this period.

This tender offers a substantial opportunity for businesses to participate in a high-value framework agreement, with a gross procurement value of £787,761,852. There is a particular appeal for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to the contract's suitability criteria. Firms specialising in pharmaceutical products, especially those with expertise in generic pharmaceuticals, will find an excellent growth avenue by potentially securing contract lots within the UK's diverse regions. Engaging with this tender allows businesses to expand their market presence and contribute significantly to the healthcare sector by ensuring the availability of essential medicines across UK hospitals. Businesses are encouraged to utilise NHS England's provided links to access further procurement resources and prepare for the upcoming competitive bidding process.

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Notice Title

NHS National Generic Pharmaceuticals - Wave 16a

Notice Description

NHS National Framework for Generics Pharmaceuticals Wave 16a Offer reference number: CM/PHG/24/5714 Period of framework agreement: Dates detailed below, with an option or options to extend (at the authority's discretion) for a period or periods up to a total of 48 months. Potential periods of call-offs under the framework agreement: CM/PHG/24/5714/01 Oral (plus non-parenteral) products: CESW/LSNE/NWLN: 01/02/2027 to 31/05/2030 (40 months) CM/PHG/24/5714/02 Hospital only products: DLN: 01/02/2027 to 31/01/2029 (24 months) DNW: 01/02/2027 to 31/01/2029 (24 months) CM/PHG/24/5714/03 Hospital only (housekeeping) products: DCE/DSW: 01/02/2027 to 30/09/2027 (8 months) DLS/DNE: 01/02/2027 to 31/05/2028 (16 months)

Planning Information

NHS England is advising suppliers of an upcoming tender for the NHS National Framework Agreement for the supply of Generic Pharmaceuticals, Wave 16a to commence on 1st February 2027 for varying dates of up to 40 months with the option to extend to a maximum total contract length of 48 months. This procurement will largely consist of hospital only products in the London North and North West regions, and will also include hospital only products in the remaining regions and oral products (plus non-parenterals) in all regions. The purpose of this notice is to inform existing and potential new suppliers of this procurement. Useful information for suppliers can be found here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/medicines-2/medicines-value-and-access/medicines-procurement-and-supply-chain/ and the current generics workplan here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/generics-framework-workplan-by-product-report/ . Specific information regarding the products included in this procurement will be provided in the ITO, which will be issued shortly.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051c3a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037725-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products


CPV Codes

33600000 - Pharmaceutical products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£656,468,210 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Apr 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 May 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 May 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS ENGLAND
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Waterloo & South Bank
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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