QHM-2024-7793 Cohens Chemist

The NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board has concluded the procurement process for the provision of health services, specifically focusing on flu antivirals. The procurement was completed under the Direct Award Process A, part of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) regulations 2023. Set in Sunderland within the UKC region, the procurement falls outside the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 and the Procurement Regulations 2024.

The contract, a service-based award under the limited procurement method, was signed with Cohens Chemist and will span from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026. Although this contract commenced as an implied service agreement, it formalises the existing service provider relationship. This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in health services, particularly those with expertise in delivering medical and antiviral products.

While the procurement process favoured a direct award route due to the lack of viable alternative providers, businesses looking to expand in the healthcare sector can still gain valuable insights into direct contract negotiations and regulatory frameworks through this example. Large-scale health service suppliers in the UK, especially those able to operate within the existing frameworks of public health care, will find this contract model beneficial for strategic business growth in specialised service deliveries.