---
title: "CivTech 10.8 - How can technology reduce pharmaceutical waste?"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0485e4"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0485e4"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0485e4.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0485e4.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT"
published: "2025-09-15"
---

# CivTech 10.8 - How can technology reduce pharmaceutical waste?

Buyer: SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0485e4

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## Summary

The Scottish Government, operating from Glasgow, initiated an open procurement procedure titled "CivTech 10.8 - How can technology reduce pharmaceutical waste?" aiming to reduce pharmaceutical waste within the IT services sector. This tender, under the services category, was classified as part of consulting, software development, Internet, and support services and was specifically targeting solutions for the disposal and management of pharmaceutical waste. Set in Edinburgh, the invitation was active as of 30th July 2024, with an intended tender period closing on 10th September 2024. However, a subsequent process dated 15th September 2025 shows this procurement status as cancelled. The procurement was part of CivTech's larger initiative to foster innovation within public services, supporting the Scottish Government's push for technological solutions to public sector challenges.

This procurement initiative creates substantial business growth opportunities for tech companies specialising in waste management, IT consulting, and related services. With a focus on sustainable solutions, businesses that can innovate in reducing pharmaceutical waste have the chance to secure contracts that could extend beyond national boundaries, as the challenges addressed are globally relevant. This opportunity was designed in alignment with the Scottish Government's strategy to engage smaller, innovative enterprises, providing a platform for these businesses to deploy and expand their technological solutions. Ideal candidates include tech firms adept in developing smart, effective products that deliver high-quality results, thereby transforming public service operations and contributing to broader environmental goals.

## Notice

Waste of prescribed pharmaceutical items is a major issue. In 2015 NHS England conservatively estimated that at least GBP300 million was spent on unused medicines. In addition, unwanted and unused medicines are often disposed of incorrectly, and this has significant, negative environmental and pollution impacts. Both the prevention of over-prescribing, over-ordering or unnecessary dispensing of medicine, and the return of unused medicines in a way that they can be safely put back into the system have the potential to markedly improve the situation. So how can technology reduce pharmaceutical waste?

### Lot Information

Lot 1

CivTech's mission is to drive daring and innovation in the public sector by collaboratively solving Challenges that make people's lives better - and in doing so create generations of sustainable, high growth businesses. CivTech brings together public sector expertise and private sector innovation to solve real problems, develop new products, and deliver better, faster and easier services for everyone. Central to the approach is co-production with the citizen. Part of the Scottish Government's Digital Directorate, CivTech's approach is helping transform public sector engagement with tech and innovation, delivering significant benefits to public services, producing genuine uplifts for the Scottish economy - and along the way, making lives better. Across the country there are problems public sector organisations would like to solve and in the current environment the need for smart, efficient and effective products has never been greater. The Scottish Government is aware innovation is a good way to create them and is committed to ensuring a large part of its tech spend goes to smaller, innovative businesses. This is where CivTech comes in. The CivTech Innovation Flow is designed to create products as quickly and effectively as possible, and uses a true Accelerator model at the heart of its Innovation Flow model. For you - whether you're an individual, team or company - it's an opportunity to take on a Challenge, solve it, and win contracts with a blue-chip public sector organisation. You'll build a product, and a business to take it as far as possible. Because here's the kicker: the Challenges we issue aren't 'single organisation' problems - most exist worldwide. In short: Open Challenges are set. Any organisation, team or individual can respond. Applications are assessed, and shortlisted proposals go into an Exploration Stage where they're developed further [for which participating applicants are paid]. The best go through to the Accelerator - a period of intensive work to create the solution, and through CivTech's unique business workshop system, a business capable of taking the product to the world. Please visit our website for information on CivTech and how to get involved: https://www.civtech.scot/how-to-apply-civtech-10 https://www.civtech.scot/civtech-10-challenge-8-reducing-pharmaceutical-waste

Renewal: Extensions may be required

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056570-2025 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 Sep 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 10 Sep 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 15 Sep 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,300,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Cancelled |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Unsuccessful |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT |
| Locality | GLASGOW |
| Post town | Glasgow |
| Postcode | G2 8EA |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM3 West Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM32 Glasgow City |
| Local authority | Glasgow City |
| Electoral ward | Anderston/City/Yorkhill |
| Westminster constituency | Glasgow North |
| Delivery location | TLM Scotland |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 19 - Leather and textile fabrics, plastic and rubber materials
- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

### Codes

- 19620000 - Textile waste
- 19630000 - Rubber waste
- 19640000 - Polythene waste and refuse sacks and bags
- 34928480 - Waste and rubbish containers and bins
- 71800000 - Consulting services for water-supply and waste consultancy
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 79723000 - Waste analysis services
- 90500000 - Refuse and waste related services
- 90523000 - Toxic waste disposal services except radioactive waste and contaminated soil
- 90524000 - Medical waste services
- 90524200 - Clinical-waste disposal services
- 90524300 - Removal services of biological waste
- 90524400 - Collection, transport and disposal of hospital waste

## Release History

- 15 Sep 2025 at 12:27 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056570-2025
- 30 Jul 2024 at 10:26 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023747-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.scotland.gov.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000773847
- https://www.civtech.scot/civtech-10-challenge-8-reducing-pharmaceutical-waste
- https://www.civtech.scot/how-to-apply-civtech-10
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10482

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0485e4. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0485e4.json.