Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Framework for the supply of Unlicensed Specials.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

05 Oct 2026 at 12:23

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

01 Sep 2026 at 12:39

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

19 Mar 2026 at 11:01

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

09 Jun 2025 at 13:50

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, acting through the East Midlands Pharmacy Collaborative, bought unlicensed “specials” medicines for use by its member NHS trusts. These are pharmaceutical products supplied where an unlicensed medicine is required. The arrangement covers supply of products that meet individual trusts’ local requirements; suppliers may offer products they can manufacture, rather than having to cover a fixed product list. Delivery is for participating trusts in the East Midlands. The procurement was structured as a multi-supplier framework, allowing participating authorities to source medicines from appointed suppliers according to their local needs.

The procurement is complete and the contract has been signed. Following an open procedure, five suppliers were appointed: Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Prulab Pharma Ltd, Vertical Pharma Resources Ltd, Eaststone Ltd and Ascot Laboratories Ltd. The contract is valued at £1,000,000. Its initial term runs from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2028, with an option to extend by up to two years at the discretion of the collaborative and suppliers. The framework is planned to accommodate up to six suppliers and allows call-offs with or without reopening competition. Call-off choices consider availability, patient suitability, shelf life, price, lead times and local supplier performance. Tender evaluation weighted technical quality at 60% and commercial price at 40%.

This award shows recurring NHS demand for unlicensed specials through a multi-supplier framework, with product-level call-offs shaped by each trust’s needs. Suppliers need to offer medicines that are available, suitable for patients and supported by adequate shelf life, reliable lead times and responsive local service. Credible competitors will need the capacity to supply a range of products they can manufacture and to demonstrate technical quality as well as competitive pricing. Manufacturing capability can be provided through an appropriately licensed subcontractor: appointed suppliers relied on manufacturing partners holding an MHRA Manufacturer’s Specials Licence. The competition attracted six bids, with five reaching the final stage, including five SME bids. The buyer’s stated criteria make both technical capability and commercial competitiveness central to success.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework for the supply of Unlicensed Specials.

Notice Description

East Midlands Pharmacy Collaborative (EMPC) as the Authority wishes to establish a multi-supplier Framework Agreement on behalf of its member Trusts for the supply of Unlicensed Specials

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: This Contract can be extended at the discretion of EMPC and the Suppliers

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-054547
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093768-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

CPV Codes

33600000 - Pharmaceutical products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Oct 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
13 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
2 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
1 Sep 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 30 Sep 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
2030-01-02

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DERBY
Postcode
DE22 3NE
Postcode Area
Derby
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF11 Derby
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Derby
Electoral Ward
Littleover
Westminster Constituency
Derby North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
5
Supplier Names

Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Prulab Pharma Ltd

VERTICAL PHARMA RESOURCES LIMITED

Eaststone Ltd

Ascot Laboratories Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...