Alcohol misuse is a significant public health problem in the UK. It’s the leading cause of ill-health, disability, and death for people aged 15 to 49 in England, and costs the NHS an estimated £3.5 billion per year on alcohol-related care. An estimated £650 million per year is also spent on drug treatment, with societal costs reaching £20 billion per year.
Our Drugs of Abuse: Point of Care Framework Agreement can be used by the NHS and wider public sector, including police forces, covering point of care testing to bring the test conveniently and immediately to the patient. The tests are performed by the patient straight away, delivering quick results, enabling clinicians to support the timely diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of patients, and the police to enforce the law to ensure public safety. There is also the option to outsource testing requirements to a supplier.
It also covers family law testing, back to lab testing for Blood Borne Virus (BBV) and Liver Function Testing, as well as alcohol testing devices, including breath analysers, continuous monitoring, and associated consumables.
Framework Agreement Information
The framework agreement helps customers compliantly procure a variety of tests and associated services for drugs and alcohol.
What dates is the framework agreement active?
09 June 2023 – 8 June 2027
Who can take advantage of the framework agreement?
NHS and wider public sector organisations
How was the framework agreement procured?
Further competition and direct award
Via this framework agreement, you can run a further competition, or choose to direct award to a supplier in compliance with Regulation 33 of the Public Contracts Regulations.
How we can support?
We offer different levels of support, including SME advice and robust templates for you to easily run your own process, or additional support to design and run a further competition on your behalf.
How can I access the framework agreement?
Access framework agreement documentation via our Customer Framework Agreement Portal (CFAP)
The framework agreement has been structured in the following lots:
What are the benefits of using this framework agreement?
SPEEDS UP DIAGNOSIS
Testing at the point of care reduces the need for patients to wait for results or return to facilities later, improving their overall experience and speeding up diagnostic and treatment processes.
INCLUDES RAPID TESTING
Enables faster decision-making and early intervention by providing rapid drug and alcohol test results and continuous monitoring devices to help NHS and wider public sector organisations respond quickly to risks, improve safeguarding, and support timely care planning.
POINT OF CONTACT TESTING
Rapid drug testing kits (Lot 1) allows police officers to test individuals at the point of contact (e.g. roadside, custody suites) with immediate results.
SUPPORTS MONITORING PATIENTS
Drugs of abuse testing can help monitor patients undergoing treatment for addiction, ensuring they adhere to their prescribed treatment, and help providers intervene early when necessary.
SUPPORTS FAMILY LAW MARKET
Caters to family law market by providing DNA testing as well as drug and alcohol testing used in family law cases.
REDUCES PRESSURE ON CLINICAL STAFF
Improves flexibility and efficiency in substance testing by offering both rapid point-of-care tests and outsourced lab-based services – reducing pressure on clinical staff while ensuring comprehensive, scalable testing options.
Supplier Details
Strategic Procurement Support
If this framework agreement doesn’t cover the goods or services you require, or a framework agreement isn’t the optimal route to market for your needs, we can provide tailored strategic procurement support. Find out more here.
