Planning

National Specialist Medicines Service (NSMS) 2026-29

  • NHS England

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-013793

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04ff2c

Published 8 April 2025, 5:12pm



Scope

Reference

C342363

Description

NHS England is commissioning the 2026-2029 National Specialist Medicines Service (NSMS) contract. The contract holders will support in the implementation of national policies and priorities in medicines use and safety by developing cost effective standardised tools and processes that can be adopted/integrated locally. It will provide expert clinical quality assurance in medicines technical services and supports the NHS to get best value optimisation from the medicines budgets. In addition, it will provide clinical support for frontline service delivery in relation to medicines and to enable strategic commissioning of medicines related services. The NSMS will provide essential information on clinical and cost effectiveness use of medicines and their supply at local and national level to ensure patient access to essential treatment to a range of stakeholders and citizens. The premise of the contract is that these activities can

Total value (estimated)

  • £30,000,000 excluding VAT
  • £30,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
  • Possible extension to 31 March 2030
  • 4 years

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 85149000 - Pharmacy services

Engagement

Engagement deadline

22 April 2025

Engagement process description

NHS England is commissioning the 2026-2029 National Specialist Medicines Service (NSMS) contract. The contract holders will support in the implementation of national policies and priorities in medicines use and safety by developing cost effective standardised tools and processes that can be adopted/integrated locally. It will provide expert clinical quality assurance in medicines technical services and supports the NHS to get best value optimisation from the medicines budgets. In addition, it will provide clinical support for frontline service delivery in relation to medicines and to enable strategic commissioning of medicines related services. The NSMS will provide essential information on clinical and cost effectiveness use of medicines and their supply at local and national level to ensure patient access to essential treatment to a range of stakeholders and citizens. The premise of the contract is that these activities can avoid duplication at local level giving local clinicians more time for their patients and that opportunities to improve quality and value are taken up comprehensively. This preliminary market engagement exercise is due for return at 12 noon on 22 April 2025.


Participation

Particular suitability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)


Submission

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

2 June 2025


Contracting authority

NHS England

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDPT-3135-BWWY

7-8 Wellington Place

Leeds

LS1 4AP

United Kingdom

Contact name: Jacqueline Connett-Powell

Telephone: 07919528167

Email: jacqueline.powell9@nhs.net

Website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/

Region: UKE42 - Leeds

Organisation type: Public authority - central government