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NHS Generic Pharmaceuticals - Wave 16c

NHS England

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

04 Sep 2026 at 11:34

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

17 Aug 2026 at 15:16

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS England intends to procure generic pharmaceutical products through Wave 16c. The scope covers oral pharmaceutical products and housekeeping products, including supplies for the DLS and DNE areas in London, South East and North East England and for the remaining English regions. Delivery is expected across England, including London, the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South East and South West. This is a goods procurement, classified under pharmaceutical products (CPV 33600000). NHS England is the buying organisation. The planned arrangement is intended to support the supply of routine generic medicines and associated housekeeping products across NHS services, with the procurement and any resulting contract dependent on budgetary approval.

This procurement is at the planning stage: NHS England has announced an intention to buy, but has not invited tenders. It expects to use an open procedure and a framework agreement. The estimated value is £480,000,000 excluding VAT, or £576,000,000 including VAT. The buyer expects the next notice to be published on 6 September 2027. The planned contract period is 1 June 2028 to 31 May 2030, with renewal available to a maximum date of 31 May 2032. The procurement is arranged as one planned lot and is above the applicable threshold. The commencement of procurement and award of any subsequent contract will be subject to budgetary approval. These dates and arrangements are indicative planning information, not current tender deadlines.

The planned procurement should suit pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and specialist healthcare suppliers able to provide generic oral medicines and housekeeping products at national scale. Suppliers should prepare for an open competition supporting a framework arrangement, with the capacity to serve NHS requirements across England and to manage deliveries over a multi-year period. The opportunity is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so capable SMEs may be able to participate directly or through a consortium or supply-chain arrangement. Businesses should review their product range, manufacturing or distribution capacity, quality controls, regulatory compliance, NHS supply experience and ability to maintain continuity of supply. The broad geographic coverage favours suppliers with robust logistics, inventory management and reliable fulfilment arrangements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

NHS Generic Pharmaceuticals - Wave 16c

Notice Description

Wave 16c DLS & DNE (London South and North East regions), Oral products and Housekeeping products for remaining regions The commencement of procurement and award of any subsequent contract will be subject to budgetary approval.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e5ca
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083835-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
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
£480,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 Sep 202711 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2028 - 31 May 2030 1-2 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
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
Postcode Area
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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