Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Merit Medical New Zealand Ltd

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 a range of electrophysiology equipment and consumable medical devices in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 July 2020 through a provisional agreement with Merit Medical New Zealand Ltd (“Merit”).

Consultation closes at 4pm Thursday 3 June 2021 and feedback can be emailed to sam.bright@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 July 2021, Merit’s range of electrophysiology equipment and consumables would be listed under the proposed national agreement (“Agreement”) that all DHBs may purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate.

The Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of electrophysiology equipment and consumables.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contract with the supplier for the devices listed in the Agreement. Any device listed in a PHARMAC 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.

Who we think will be interested

  • Suppliers and wholesalers
  • DHB staff
    • Catheterisation laboratory staff
    • Procurement and supply chain personnel

About the medical devices

Electrophysiology equipment and consumables

Electrophysiology equipment and consumables are used to help clinicians diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias or other cardiac abnormalities. Equipment is often located in catheterisation laboratories and includes cardiac stimulators, cryoablation and mapping devices and software. Consumables for this treatment area include a range of catheters, sheaths and electrodes.

Why we’re proposing this

In September 2020 PHARMAC issued a Registration of Interest (“ROI”) for ranges of medical devices, including electrophysiology equipment and consumables, considered for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

The ROI was undertaken to transfer the responsibility for management of electrophysiology equipment and consumables from New Zealand Health Partnerships to PHARMAC.

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

PHARMAC has been working with suppliers to seek provisional agreements and this proposal is the latest to arise from these processes. We expect to consult on further provisional agreements with suppliers of electrophysiology equipment and consumables throughout 2021.

Details about our proposal

PHARMAC has entered into a provisional agreement with Merit for a range of electrophysiology equipment and consumables. We are making the full product list and pricing options available to procurement managers at DHBs.

The proposal would result in Pharmaceutical Schedule listings for 52 electrophysiology equipment and consumable products. The proposed products are from the Worley and HeartSpan brands.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: sam.bright@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm Thursday 3 June 2021.

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.

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.