FOI2026/1943

Please provide the following information:

1. Please confirm if Greater Manchester ICB is currently a participant in any rebate, discount or other financial incentive schemes with Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc, or any other member of the Abbott group, pertaining to:
   1. FreeStyle Libre 2, FreeStyle Libre 3, FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus, or FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus products; and/or
   2. Products for the management of diabetes which include, among other products, the products listed at (i) above; and/or
   3. Products sold by the Abbott group (i.e. not limited only to the management of diabetes) including, among other products, the products listed at (i) above.

2. In respect of each such rebate, discount or other financial incentive scheme above, please confirm:
   1. The Abbott products that the applicable scheme relates to;
   2. The start and end date of the scheme; and
   3. The criteria (e.g. minimum volume, minimum spend) that need to be met in order to trigger each rebate, discount, or other financial incentive within the scheme, and (to the extent Greater Manchester ICB is able to provide such information) the corresponding financial value of each applicable rebate, discount, or other financial incentive.

1a)Yes

1b) None

1c) None

2.

2a) Freestyle Libre 2+

2b) Start Date 01/07/2025 End Date 30/06/2027

2c) NHS GM holds information in respect of the specific rebate, however, this information is considered exempt from disclosure under Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. This is because the information requested is considered commercially confidential, and its release would likely prejudice the commercial interests of Abbott Laboratories.

Refusal Notice – Section 43(2) Freedom of Information Act 2000

Section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 states:

“Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it)”.

In this instance, disclosure of the information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of Abbott Laboratories. This exemption is subject to the public interest test and for the reasons outlined below we are satisfied that the exemption applies.

Public interest test

There is an inherent public interest in ensuring that there is openness and transparency in the spending of public money. Transparency is likely to increase confidence in procurement processes and purchasing decisions made by NHS GM ICB. It would also enable the public to understand whether NHS GM ICB is getting value for money from its purchasing decisions.

However, we believe that disclosure of the requested information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of Abbott Laboratories.

After considering the arguments outlined above, we have decided to withhold this information at this time.