Medicines procurement and supply chain

The Medicines Procurement and Supply Chain (MPSC), part of our Medicines Value and Access Directorate, establishes the commercial arrangements to enable the purchasing of medicines prescribed in NHS hospitals in England.

Medicines framework agreements

Working with a wide range of stakeholders, the MPSC manages a number of Medicines Framework agreements that define how we ensure continuity of supply for:

  • generic medicines including newly available generic medicines used in hospitals
  • branded medicines, biosimilar medicines and intravenous (IV) fluids
  • blood products and dose banded chemotherapy and flu vaccines for hospitals.

Who can access MPSC frameworks?

Any provider or organisation that treats NHS patients and wants to purchase products at MPSC pricing must be registered as a purchasing point with NHS England and agree to the key conditions of access.

NHS England’s policy position sets out which providers or organisations are in scope for being a purchasing point and therefore able to access MPSC framework prices.

How to become a purchasing point?

Any provider or organisation that is in scope in accordance with NHS England’s policy position should review the purchasing point factsheet and follow the process set out in the document.

Homecare medicines and services

NHS England’s homecare team works closely with the National Clinical Homecare Association (NCHA) and has representation on the National Homecare Medicines Committee (NHMC).

MPSC is responsible for nationally procured at-home medicines delivery and home nursing services, including provision of home parenteral nutrition (HPN), though most homecare medicines and services are directly contracted by NHS Trusts.

NHS England has worked alongside the NHMC to define key performance indicators (KPIs) for homecare medicines services that meet a national standard.

Performance related to these KPIs is updated quarterly in a publicly accessible dashboard: National Homecare Medicine Services KPI Dashboard

If you have any questions about the National Homecare Medicines Services KPI Dashboard, please contact england.medicines@nhs.net

Pharmacy team

Our Pharmacy team works across MPSC to provide clinical and pharmaceutical support to all procurement functions. The team also leads on supply chain management, supporting the management and mitigation of supply issues, working closely with the Medicine Supply team (DHSC), senior stakeholders from the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry.

Useful information for NHS trust pharmacy and procurement teams

Useful information for suppliers

Useful resources

For any general supplier enquiries, please contact england.supplier@nhs.net