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“Tranche” branded medicines in a competitive market

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Topics: Policy, Commissioning and ManagerialTrusts

An explanation of branded "Tranche" Medicines in a competitive market

This article forms part of a series
  1. An overview of Procurement of Medicines and Pharmaceutical Products and Services for NHS hospitals
    1. Procurement Structure
    2. Arrangements for Procurement of Medicines and Pharmaceutical Products and Services
    3. Procurement of licensed medicines
    4. "Tranche" branded medicines in a competitive market
    5. Procurement of unlicensed medicines and other services managed by CMU
    6. Net Zero and Social Value requirements in NHSE medicines tenders
    7. Pricing and contract coverage
    8. Collaborative Purchasing Organisations
    9. Procurement systems in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Contents
  1. About
  2. Tranche A
    1. Length of framework
    2. Scope of framework
  3. Tranche B
    1. Length of framework
    2. Scope of framework
  4. Annual Tranche
    1. Length of framework
    2. Scope of framework
  5. Contract start date
  6. Adalimumab
    1. Length of framework
    2. Framework commenced
    3. Scope of framework
  7. Hepatitis C

About

Some diseases and conditions can be treated by more than one branded medicine.

Therapeutic categories sitting within a competitive market have been allocated to a “Tranche” system.

There are three Tranches:

  • Tranche A
  • Tranche B
  • Annual Tranche

Tranche A

This includes the following therapeutic categories:

  • Epoetins (ESAs)
  • (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factors) GCSFs
  • Botulinum toxins
  • Intravenous iron
  • Anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti VEGF)
  • Antiretrovirals

Length of framework

2 years plus a further 24 months extension option

Scope of framework

By procurement region

Tranche B

This includes the following therapeutic categories:

  • Low Molecular Weight (LMW) heparins
  • Gonadorelins
  • Fertility medicines
  • Antifungals
  • Insulin analogues
  • Inhaled antibiotics CF (for Cystic Fibrosis)
  • Multiple Sclerosis

Length of framework

2 years plus a further 24 months extension option

Scope of framework

By procurement region

Annual Tranche

This includes the following therapeutic categories:

  • Cytokine modulators
  • miscellaneous monoclonal antibodies (including some biosimilars)
  • Janus kinase inhibitors (JAK) inhibitors
  • Interleukin inhibitors
  • products for severe migraine and severe asthma

Length of framework

1 years plus a further 12 months extension option

Some products may be moved into a 2 year framework according to market dynamics.

Scope of framework

By procurement region

Contract start date

The Tranche frameworks start in either March or September on a rolling basis, for example:

  • September in an odd-numbered year: Tranche A = SOFE; Tranche B = London
  • March in an odd-numbered year: Tranche A = NOFE; Tranche B = MAE
  • September in an even-numbered year: Tranche A = London; Tranche B = SOFE
  • March in an even-numbered year: Tranche A = MAE; Tranche B = NOFE

Adalimumab

Adalimumab is tendered separately.

Length of framework

2 years plus a further 24 months extension option

Framework commenced

1st April 2020

Scope of framework

National agreement with regional access awards

Hepatitis C

A national Hepatitis C contract is in place from 1/5/19 – 31/3/22. This has been tendered and awarded by the Commercial Medicines Directorate. Details of the contract are available in the CMU Pharmacy web catalogue.