Community Pharmacy Scotland: FOI review

Information requested

Subsequent to the response you received in relation to FOI 202200297947, you have asked how much the previous company who distributed the poster materials, which was most likely Carat or Frame advertising, have received from 2015 to 2020 from the Scottish Government or Community Pharmacy Scotland to distribute these posters.

Response

Community Pharmacy Scotland is an organisation which represents community pharmacy owners but has no responsibility for the placement or payment of pharmacy poster advertising in Scotland. The organisation who hold the contractual responsibility for the placement of advertising in pharmacy poster sites in Scotland is held by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government Media Planning and Buying Framework (Ref: Case/167114) was awarded to Feather Brooksbank, a division of Aegis Media, (subsequently renamed as Carat) on 11 June 2011 on a sole supplier basis. All media planning and buying on behalf of Scottish Government was placed through this framework. Thereafter, the Healthier, Smarter and Greener Projects Contract, (Ref: MBPF/2016/2-02), as a call off from the Scottish Government Media Planning and Buying Framework, Ref: SP-14-003), was awarded on 28 April 2016 to Carat, until 8 January 2020 when it was awarded to Republic of Media.

During the period specified, Feather Brooksbank, (subsequently renamed as Carat), were responsible for all media buying services for the Healthier portfolio which included the media booking and the distribution of posters to pharmacies. A summary of payments paid by the Scottish Government to Carat for the booking of pharmacy posters and distribution during this time period is shown below:

	Net (before VAT, Levy and Asbof)
Apr 15 - Mar 16	£ 164,062.99
Apr 16 - Mar 17	£ 184,665.45
Apr 17 - Mar 18	£ 68,881.62
Apr 18 - Mar 19	£ 60,772.20
Apr 19 - Mar 20	£ 48,771.15
Total	£527,153.41

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