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NHS Generic Pharmaceuticals - Wave 17a

NHS England

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

04 Sep 2026 at 11:31

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

17 Aug 2026 at 16:05

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS England is planning to procure generic pharmaceutical products through “NHS Generic Pharmaceuticals – Wave 17a”. The scope covers DLS and DNE for London, the South East, North East and Yorkshire and Humber, together with oral products and housekeeping products for the remaining regions. The procurement is for goods rather than services or construction, with pharmaceutical products as the stated category. Delivery is intended across England, covering the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West. The planned arrangement is relevant to manufacturers, wholesalers and specialist pharmaceutical suppliers able to provide generic medicines and the other product ranges within the stated scope.

This procurement is at the planning stage: NHS England has announced an intention to proceed, but there is no invitation to tender yet. The buyer expects to use an open procedure and a framework agreement, subject to budgetary approval before procurement and any subsequent award. A further notice is expected on 1 May 2028. The planned contract period is 1 February 2029 to 31 January 2031, with renewal provisions allowing the arrangement to extend to 31 January 2033. The estimated value is £520 million excluding VAT, or £624 million including VAT. The procurement is planned as one lot, and the buyer has indicated that it is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This will suit suppliers with established capability in generic pharmaceuticals, particularly businesses able to cover the specified DLS and DNE requirements, oral products and housekeeping products. Suppliers should prepare for a large, multi-region NHS requirement spanning all nine English regions, with the operational capacity, stockholding, quality systems and distribution network needed to support broad delivery; these capabilities are practical implications of the scale and geographic scope described by the buyer. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and specialist distributors may therefore find the planned requirement relevant. The indication that small and medium-sized enterprises are suitable suggests that participation is not limited to the largest national providers. Businesses should monitor the later procurement and prepare evidence of product range, supply continuity and regulatory compliance.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

NHS Generic Pharmaceuticals - Wave 17a

Notice Description

Wave 17a DLS and DNE (London South and North East and Yorkshire), 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-06e5e5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083832-2026
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
£520,000,000 £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
1 May 20282 years to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2029 - 31 Jan 2031 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)

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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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