• Medicines in shortage will be fast-tracked to the UK to provide an “uninterrupted supply”
  • Swiss logistics company to operate new service after an open procurement process
  • DHSC said it will ensure patients can continue to access the treatments they need

Medicines and medical goods which are at risk of shortages will be transported to the UK ‘within days’ through a new international transport system, the government has announced.

Swiss logistics company Kuehne+Nagel International will operate the new International Express Freight Service, which will “fast track” medicines to the UK when there is an urgent need or a supplier’s own logistical arrangements are disrupted.

The contract has a value of £1.2m, according to Contracts Finder, and has been awarded for 12 months with the option of an extension.

It comes as the department has also announced the awards of a series of major freight contracts, worth up to around £380m, in recent days, including with Kuehne + Nagel.

DHSC says the fast track service will help make sure patients can continue to access the treatments they need, support supply chain issues in the UK and “mitigate potential shortages” of medical goods.

The NHS has had to deal with multiple supply chain issues in recent months, including shortages of crucial blood tubes, because of disrupted trade lines and increased global demand for raw materials.

The service will aim to collect and deliver small parcels within 24 to 48 hours and pallets or shipments within two to four working days, with specialised products, with a controlled or regulated handling requirement, fast-tracked within 24 hours.

Health minister Edward Argar said: “Global supply chains are unpredictable and our new International Express Freight Service will rapidly transport medical products in shortage to the UK within days.”

“We are committed to building back stronger from the pandemic, and more resilient supply chains are a crucial part of that,” Mr Argar said.

Suppliers will need to be registered before they can access the service and they will be responsible for payment of carriage and any additional services they agree to use.

Last month, HSJ reported that trusts are facing “inevitable” price rises on goods bought through NHS Supply Chain due to the ongoing disruption to global trade.

Article amended on 4 November 2021 to clarify that the fast track contract is worth £1.2m, and is separate to the larger freight contracts.

Source

DHSC announcement

Source Date

2 November 2021

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