Expressions of Interest for Provision of Parenteral Methotrexate Services

NHS Arden & Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (NHS Arden & GEM CSU) on behalf of NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group are inviting Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified providers capable of dispensing and delivering parenteral methotrexate to patients and collecting and disposing of the associated clinical cytotoxic waste in line with appropriate legislation.

The requirement will be for a 12-month contract (only) commencing 01st April 2022. The anticipated total value of the 12-month contract is £221,263. This value is based on the service cost (currently approximately 18% of the total contract value) and the drug cost (currently approximately 82% of the total current value). The service cost is paid by the CCG, the drug cost will be reimbursed via NHS BSA. This value is based on historical data and is not guaranteed. The contract may be terminated by the Commissioner at any time within the specified duration of the contract. The Commissioner will give 12 weeks' notice of cancellation to the provider in the event of this.

The services will include dispensing and delivery of licensed parenteral methotrexate on an 8 weekly basis to patients within the North Derbyshire Area, provision of clinical cytotoxic waste bins and clinical cytotoxic waste collection and disposal services..

The aims of the Parenteral Methotrexate service are to:

• Request prescriptions from patients GP practice in a safe, timely way to ensure patients receive licensed parenteral methotrexate at appropriate intervals.
• Ensure prescriptions are in line with clinical information from the hospital to prevent errors.
• Delivery of licensed parenteral methotrexate to patients on an 8-weekly basis with contact to the patient prior to delivery to minimise stockpiling and wastage.
• Issue methotrexate as per the brand on the prescription - the preferred product is Metoject but other brands may be prescribed on an exceptional basis.
• Provide clinical support to patients and clinicians should the brand of parenteral methotrexate change.
• Provision of clinical cytotoxic waste bins for safe disposal of clinical waste.
• Collection of filled clinical cytotoxic waste bins and appropriate disposal of these in line with legislation.

Please note the following patients are excluded from this service:

• Those receiving parenteral methotrexate for non-rheumatology indications
• Those under the age of 18
• Those receiving unlicensed parenteral methotrexate
• Those who are not stable on their parenteral methotrexate dose

A service specification providing full details of the service is included within the attachments area of the project on EU-Supply (access link provided below).

The aim of this Expression of Interest is to:

1. Allow the market visibility of the proposed opportunity;
2. To inform the CCG's decision making process for the future commissioning of the 8 -weekly delivery of Parenteral Methotrexate to patients homes and provision of cytotoxic waste bins, and collection and destruction of cytotoxic waste;
3. To help refine the future commissioning and procurement approach and;
4. To gauge the level of interest from the market of capable providers with capacity to deliver maintain and strengthen services across North Derbyshire as illustrated above.

If you wish to express an interest please register on the EU Supply Portal. The EU supply link is uk.eu-supply.com/login.asp ↗ ref ID no. 45546

Once registered please complete the questions which asks providers to give details about your organisation's name and postal address, email address, contact name and number.