Proposal to list medical devices supplied by New Zealand Medical and Scientific Limited

What we’re proposing

Consultation closes at 5pm Friday 25 September 2020 and feedback can be emailed to tyson.edwards@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 November 2020, NZMS’s range of feeding devices would be listed under the proposed national agreement for all DHBs to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate (“Agreement”).

This Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of feeding devices. The Agreement includes products currently used in DHBs, as well as products not currently used by DHBs and their funded services (but that DHBs might wish to purchase in future).

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with NZMS for the devices included in the Agreement. Any medical device listed in the Agreement and purchased by a DHB would be at the price, terms and conditions stated in the Agreement, effective from the date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

As part of the Agreement, NZMS would provide educational services that would be tailored to the individual needs of the DHB, in formats and at times as required by the DHB.

Pricing for the devices in the Agreement, subject to any prior termination of the Agreement, would not be increased without prior consultation and approval by PHARMAC.

Who we think will be interested

• DHB staff inluding but not limited to:
  • Procurement Officers and supply chain personnel
  • Clinical engineers and maintenance services
  • ICU, emergency, and critical care staff
  • Surgeons
  • Dietitians
  • Nurses (both inpatient and community based)
  • Geriatricians
  • Neurologists
  • Gastroenterologists
  • Paediatricians
• Suppliers and wholesalers

About feeding devices

Feeding devices are medical devices used to deliver nutrition and hydration into the body through the gastrointestinal tract (Enteral Nutrition). Devices that supply nutrition via the circulatory system (Parenteral Nutrition) will be contracted separately under the Infusion Devices category.

Providing nutrition to patients who cannot consume adequate food and/or fluids orally is important to optimise healing, reduce recovery times, and lower complication rates. Feeding devices are used by patients with a wide variety of clinical conditions and across both acute and community-based settings.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2018 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals ("RFP") for the supply of feeding devices and/or special foods delivered enterally or orally.

The RFPs were for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

PHARMAC has been working with suppliers who responded to the RFP to seek provisional agreements. This proposal is the second to arise from this process. We expect to consult on further provisional agreements with suppliers of Feeding Devices throughout 2020.

Details about our proposal

PHARMAC has entered into a provisional agreement with NZMS for a range of feeding devices. The proposal would result in Pharmaceutical Schedule listings for 112 feeding device products under the brand name Medicina in the non-dedicated feeding devices category.

Further information, including pricing and contractual details, has been provided to DHB Procurement personnel. Clinicians interested in further detail on what this change means for their DHB should engage with their Procurement teams.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: tyson.edwards@pharmac.govt.nz by 5pm Friday 25 September 2020.

All feedback received before the closing date will be considered by PHARMAC’s Board (or its delegate) prior to making a decision on this proposal.

Feedback we receive is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) and we will consider any request to have information withheld in accordance with our obligations under the OIA. Anyone providing feedback, whether on their own account or on behalf of an organisation, and whether in a personal or professional capacity, should be aware that the content of their feedback and their identity may need to be disclosed in response to an OIA request.

We are not able to treat any part of your feedback as confidential unless you specifically request that we do, and then only to the extent permissible under the OIA and other relevant laws and requirements. If you would like us to withhold any commercially sensitive, confidential proprietary, or personal information included in your submission, please clearly state this in your submission and identify the relevant sections of your submission that you would like it withheld. PHARMAC will give due consideration to any such request.