Agreement with Intermed Medical Limited for the supply of interventional cardiology, suture and wound care products

This was the subject of a consultation letter dated 2 December 2015.

In summary, the effect of the decision is that:

• A range of 479 products (108  interventional cardiology, 313 suture, 58 wound care) will be listed in Section H, Part III, (‘Optional Pharmaceuticals’) of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2016.
• DHB hospitals can purchase these items either directly from Intermed 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 Registration of Interest documents issued in August 2013 for wound care products and April 2014 for interventional cardiology products; and a direct approach in September 2013 to known suture suppliers, PHARMAC has entered into an agreement with Intermed for the supply of a selection of interventional cardiology, suture and wound care products to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. This means that DHB hospitals that purchase these products should do so under the national agreement at the new pricing from 1 February 2016.

The list of products will be available on PHARMAC’s website as of 1 February 2016, in both a PDF document and a series of Excel spreadsheets.

There are estimated savings to DHBs that currently use these products of approximately $42,000 per annum nationally, based on current usage.

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

Educational services will be provided by Intermed to DHB personnel on appropriate use of its interventional cardiology, suture and wound care 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 Wednesday 23 December 2015 were considered in their entirety in making a decision on the proposed changes. No concerns were raised regarding 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.