This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

23 Apr 2026 at 17:02

Summary of the contracting process

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board has awarded a series of contracts under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) for the 'Care at the Chemist' initiative, focusing on health services within the pharmacy sector. The contracts are dated and confirmed as awarded on 23rd April 2026, with the initial approval by the Finance, Investment, and Resources Committee taking place on 18th November 2025. The awards, part of a limited procurement method, began on 1st April 2026 and will run until 31st March 2027. Adopted across Cheshire and Merseyside, these contracts aim to deliver services for minor ailments, facilitating direct interaction between patients and community pharmacies, located primarily within UKD71, covering healthcare without the necessity for GP prescriptions.

This procurement process creates business opportunities for pharmacies that can deliver efficient health care services. The 'Care at the Chemist' programme reimburses pharmacies for advice, consultations, and medications administered, providing financial incentives for pharmacies to participate actively. Large-scale suppliers such as Aim RX Ltd, Boots UK Ltd, and Superdrug Stores Ltd are already involved, suggesting a competitive advantage for pharmacies capable of handling higher mobile customer flows and large-scale operations. Pharmacies situated in the UKD71 region are particularly favoured, given the regional focus of the contracts, creating significant growth potential for businesses that deliver community-focused health solutions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Halton Place - Care at the Chemist (Pharmacy)

Notice Description

(CATC) The contracted pharmacy will provide advice and support to people on the management of minor ailments from the agreed formulary, including where necessary, the supply of medicines for the treatment of the minor ailment, for those people who would have otherwise gone to their GP for a prescription. Where appropriate the pharmacy may sell OTC medicines to the person to help manage the minor ailment, as described in the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework, Essential Service- Support for Self-Care. The pharmacy will operate a triage system, including referral to other health and social care professionals, where appropriate.

Lot Information

Lot 1

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB has awarded a one year contract via Direct Award A to selected Halton pharmacies across Cheshire and Merseyside. The contract commenced on 1st April 2026 and will expire on the 31st March 2027. A fee of PS2.00 will be paid for each consultation undertaken as part of the service. A fee of PS0.95 will be paid for each item dispensed as part of the service. The Pharmacy will be reimbursed for the medication supplied under the 'CATC' service according to the current dm+d price. Where patients are not exempt from prescription charges and have paid the NHS Levy to the Pharmacy, such sums will be deducted from the relevant month's remuneration. This is an activity based contract.

Procurement Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) confirmation of contract award notice. This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068a1b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037301-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£9,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Apr 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 Nov 20259 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS CHESHIRE AND MERSEYSIDE INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WARRINGTON
Postcode
WA1 1QY
Postcode Area
Warrington
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD61 Warrington
Delivery Location
TLD71 East Merseyside

Local Authority
Warrington
Electoral Ward
Bewsey and Whitecross
Westminster Constituency
Warrington South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
19
Supplier Names

Aim RX Ltd

Alamaz limited

Asda StoresLtf

Bestway National Chemists Ltd

Boot UK Ltd

Cooke's Ltd

Fairbreak Ltd

Figtree Healthcare Ltd

Freethorn Ltd

Gorgemead Ltd

Hale Village Ltg

Ian Strachan

PCT Healthcare ltd

Paxon ltd

RJR Chem Ltd

Sharief Healthcare Ltd

St Helens Pharmacy Ltd

Superdrug Stores Ltd

Wise Pharmacies Ltd

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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