Proposal to list rehabilitation products supplied by DJO Global Pty Limited

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of medical devices in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

What we’re proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list rehabilitation equipment, patient positioning products and supports (“rehabilitation products”) supplied by DJO Global Pty Limited (“DJO Global”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 June 2021.

Consultation closes at 4pm Tuesday 20 April 2021 and feedback can be emailed to grace.vandyk@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 June 2021 rehabilitation products supplied by DJO Global would be listed under a proposed national agreement for all DHB hospitals to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate (“Agreement”).

The Agreement would not be for sole supply and DHBs could continue to purchase other suppliers’ brands of rehabilitation products.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with DJO Global for the products included in the Agreement. Any product listed in the Agreement and purchased by a DHB would be in accordance with the terms and conditions, including price, stated in the Agreement effective from the date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

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

Pricing for the products 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

  • Suppliers and Wholesalers
  • DHB staff:
    • Clinical engineers and maintenance services
    • DHB procurement and supply chain
    • Geriatricians
    • Neurologists and Neurosurgeons
    • Nurses
    • Occupational therapists
    • Orthopaedic surgeons
    • Orthotists
    • Paediatricians
    • Physiotherapists
    • Podiatrists
    • Rehabilitation physicians (including spinal units)
    • Speech-language therapists

About the medical devices

Rehabilitation products

Rehabilitation is the process of regaining strength or relearning skills after a serious injury, illness or surgery. Rehabilitation crosses all age groups, though the type, level and goals of rehabilitation will differ depending on the individual needs. Rehabilitation often focuses on:

  • physical therapy to help with strength, mobility and fitness;
  • occupational therapy to help with daily activities;
  • speech-language therapy to help with speaking, understanding, reading, writing and swallowing;
  • cognitive therapy (following head injury); and
  • treatment of pain.

Why we’re proposing this

In October 2018 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the supply of rehabilitation equipment, patient positioning products and supports.

The RFP was for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

PHARMAC has been working with suppliers who responded to the RFP, and proposals were progressed to contract negotiation, to seek provisional agreements. This proposal is the latest to arise from this process and we expect to consult on further provisional agreements with suppliers of rehabilitation products throughout 2021.

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in listing 1146 line items from Donjoy, Procare, Cando, Chattanooga, Dr Comfort, Exos, Aircast, Bell Horn, Saunders, Compex and Artromot brands in the Pharmaceutical Schedule from DJO Global.

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: grace.vandyk@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm Tuesday 20 April 2021.

Your feedback may be shared

Feedback we receive is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). Please be aware that we may need to share your feedback, including your identity, in response to an OIA request. This applies to anyone providing feedback, whether they are providing feedback themselves or for an organisation, in a personal or professional capacity.

We can only keep feedback confidential as allowed under the OIA and other related laws. If you want any part of your feedback treated as confidential, you need to tell us. Please let us know if you want to keep part of your feedback confidential, and why. Is it commercially sensitive, confidential or proprietary, or personal information? Clearly state this and tell us which parts of your feedback you want to keep confidential for these reasons. We will consider your request under our OIA requirements.