Provision of antiviral medication through NHS community pharmacy providers

Location

Lewes

Description

The provision of antiviral medication through community pharmacy provision within Surrey Heartlands ICB for the treatment of influenza-like illness. To reduce the risk of complications from and spread of influenza-like illness, and to optimise treatment use by providing safe access to treatment in a timely manner. CPV Code 85149000-5 - Pharmacy services, but not including community pharmacy services that are arranged under The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013.

Total Quantity or Scope

The approximate lifetime value of the contract will be £1,500 over an 18 month term, from 1st April 2026 until 31st October 2027. Further fees to be paid of £52 per call-out, £13 dispensing fee for antivirals dispensed, delivery fees of £11.50 per delivery for deliveries within usual catchment area.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85149000 - Pharmacy services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) contract award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.

Other Information

Award decision makers for this contract are Medicines Optimisation Board Chair's Action (March 2026) and PCCG 28.4.26. No conflicts of interest have been declared. The relative importance of the key criteria on which the decision to award the contracts is determined as detailed below: Integration, collaboration and service sustainability Joint most important Key Criteria. • Community pharmacies are a core part of the primary care system and are aligned with local ICB pathways. This service supports a shared care model and distribution of workload more evenly across the system. • The service providers maintain strong collaborative working relationships with patients and other primary care providers. • Influenza antivirals are supplied in date, by stated Pharmacies. The service can be relied upon by healthcare workers and recipient patients. • Any issues with access to influenza antivirals are shared with the Surrey Heartlands Medicines Optimisation Team to look at seeking resolutions and preventing recurrence. • This service supports integrating community pharmacy into neighbourhoods as a partner in delivering services collaboratively for the benefit of the local population. • It is feasible to scale capacity during peak flu seasons or pandemics. • The service is utilised by eligible residents of Surrey Heartlands. The provider is embedded within Surrey Heartlands primary care pathways and works closely with existing commissioned pharmacies, supporting system resilience and continuity. Improving Access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice Joint most important Key Criteria. • This service offers an alternative route to care alongside GPs and urgent care services. • Pharmacies are typically open longer hours and don't require appointments, allowing earlier intervention with antivirals, which are most effective within 48 hours of symptom onset. • As stipulated in the specification this service aims to reduce the risk of complications from, and spread of influenza-like illness by providing access to treatment and prophylaxis in a timely manner when routine routes of supply will cause clinically unacceptable delay. • Access to influenza antivirals within a community setting. • Timely access to influenza antivirals reducing the risk of further complications and reducing the need for hospitalisation. • Increased choice for people. The pharmacy can provide timely access to antivirals during periods of peak demand and supports equitable access across the Surrey Heartlands geography. Quality & Innovation Joint second most important Key Criteria. The pharmacy contractor maintains appropriate records to ensure effective ongoing service delivery. • The provider audits the standards of the service regularly and formally on an annual basis to ensure compliance with the LCS requirements and identify areas for improvement, which the provider will address. • Annual Return completed and returned by the 31st October of each year. • The provider obtains feedback on the service from the patients who use it. This feedback is reviewed by the provider and where appropriate, change is made to improve the quality of the service. If feedback obtained is related to changes in this LCS, this should be given to the ICB. • Confirmation obtained that the standard operating procedures for this service have been reviewed/updated within the last 2 years. • The pharmacy is required to demonstrate that pharmacists and staff involved in the provision of the service have undertaken continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to this service. • Pharmacies utilise electronic prescribing streamlining the supply of antivirals. Ricky's Pharmacy demonstrated appropriate governance arrangements, trained staff, and operational readiness to deliver the service in accordance with the LCS specification. Value Joint second most important Key Criteria. • Evidenced by contracting with a specified number of pharmacies for the guaranteed provision of the influenza antiviral medication enabling appropriate and timely treatment for patients with influenza-like illness, assessed as requiring treatment or prophylaxis with anti-virals. • There are clinical benefits to the patient and subsequent financial benefits to the ICB made from prompt managment of patients with influenza-like illness, assessed as requiring treatment or prophylaxis with anti-virals, reducing the risk of further complications and potential hospitalisation. • Reduced pressure on higher-cost settings and efficient use of resources e.g. GP, A&E • Prevention and reduction in complications in high-risk groups The service offers good value for money given the low contract value and benefits associated with timely provision of antivirals, including avoidance of higher‑cost urgent and emergency care. Social Value Least important Key Criteria. • This service allows patients to be managed within a community setting, potentially reducing the need for hospitalisation, therefore having an economic benefit to the patient not needing to travel to hospital provider and the associated costs with this travel and parking. • Investment in community pharmacies supports local businesses and jobs. • Faster treatment helps people return to work or school sooner. • Pharmacies can support health education and prevention e.g. also provide flu vaccinations and public health messaging, promoting wider community resilience. • Psychologically, improved well-being when healthcare needs are met by primary care providers, through provision of care closer to home. Provision of care closer to home supports local communities, reduces travel burdens, and contributes to wider system efficiency. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) contract award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.