Planning

NHSBSA Drug Tariff Solution

NHS BUSINESS SERVICES AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

24 Oct 2025 at 14:26

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) is currently in the planning phase of procuring a Drug Tariff Solution. This procurement process, aimed at providing IT services including consulting, software development and support, is part of a public authority central government initiative. Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, the NHSBSA seeks to enhance its flexibility in creating the Drug Tariff, which is crucial for defining payment and dispensing rules for pharmacy contractors. The current stage is a Request for Information (RFI) market engagement exercise, with interested suppliers required to register their interest by 21st November 2025. The procurement's future notice is anticipated on 1st April 2026, with the contract period expected to start on 1st July 2027.

For businesses providing IT services and software solutions, particularly those specialising in software packages and information systems, this procurement initiative presents a significant opportunity. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate due to suitability criteria that accommodate them. By engaging in this procurement, businesses have the potential to contribute to enhancing a core NHS service that impacts pharmacy operations nationwide. Engaging in this project offers the opportunity to expand service offerings and tap into future government contracts as part of ongoing digital transformation efforts within the public health sector.

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Notice Title

NHSBSA Drug Tariff Solution

Notice Description

Request for Information for the provision of a Drug Tariff Solution. The solution is required to create the Drug Tariff which the NHSBSA produces on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. The NHSBSA are looking to introduce a flexible solution, underpinning business activities, to enable more agility to react to an ever-changing landscape and future proof the creation and accessing of the Drug Tariff by end users (e.g. pharmacists). The Drug Tariff outlines: * what will be paid to pharmacy contractors for NHS services provided either for reimbursement or remuneration * dispensing rules * value of the fees and allowances to be paid * drug and appliance prices paid. This pre-market engagement exercise is to determine new solutions available to continue to deliver the Drug Tariff to NHSBSA customers while optimising efficiencies. This invitation to participate in the RFI has been published on the Find a Tender Service and on Contracts Finder.

Planning Information

The requirement is for a solution which produces the Drug Tariff from importing several data sources (from the NHSBSA CDR (Common Drug Reference) database in xml format, Microsoft Word and PDF documents (for NHS Directions) as well as Excel documents for new content). At this stage we are seeking high-level input to enable us to assess the market and to inform any future investment and resulting procurement process. Suppliers who register an interest should provide a written RFI responses by 21st November 2025. Interested parties must register an interest in this RFI via https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome (search opportunities using system reference C397038). Suppliers should note that this RFI is a market research exercise only and it is not an invitation to tender or invitation to offer an agreement.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d391
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068277-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement 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

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support


CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

72222300 - Information technology services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2027 - 30 Jun 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS BUSINESS SERVICES AUTHORITY
Contact Name
NHSBSA Commercial Services
Contact Email
nhsbsa.commercialservicesteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE15 8NY
Post Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England)

Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Lemington
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

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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