Agreement with Bio-Excel (Australia) Pty Limited for the supply of interventional cardiology products

This was the subject of a consultation letter dated 15 September 2014.

In summary, the effect of the decision is that:

• A range of interventional cardiology products will be listed in Section H, Part III, (‘Optional Pharmaceuticals’) of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1^st November 2014
• DHB hospitals can purchase these items either directly from Bio-Excel or through a designated third party logistics provider under the national agreement.
• For the DHBs that currently use these products the national agreement will deliver savings.

Details of the decision

Following a Registration of Interest document issued in April 2014, PHARMAC has entered into an agreement with Bio-Excel (Australia) Pty Ltd for the supply of a selection of interventional cardiology products to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. This means that DHB hospitals may purchase these products under the national agreement at the new pricing.

The list of products will be available on PHARMAC’s website from the 1^st November in both PDF and Excel spreadsheet formats.

There are estimated savings to DHBs that currently use these products of approximately $150,000 per annum nationally, based on current usage.

The agreement is not exclusive. DHBs can continue to purchase other brands of interventional cardiology products at their discretion.

Educational services will be provided by Bio-Excel to DHB personnel on appropriate use of its interventional cardiology products and will be arranged in a format and times as agreed with individual DHBs.

Feedback received

PHARMAC appreciates all of the feedback that it has received and acknowledges the time people took to respond. All consultation responses received by 12th October 2014 were considered in their entirety in making a decision on the proposed changes. Most responses were supportive of the proposal. The following issues were raised in relation to specific aspects of the proposal:

More information

If you have any questions about this decision you can email PHARMAC at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz or call our toll free number (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) on 0800 66 00 50.