Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Obex Medical 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 medical devices supplied by Obex Medical Limited (“Obex”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 August 2021 through a non-exclusive provisional agreement.
We propose to list medical devices in the following categories:
Consultation closes at 4pm Wednesday 30 June 2021 and feedback can be emailed to tyson.edwards@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
From 1 August 2021 infusion devices, feeding devices, and urology products supplied by Obex 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 products in these categories of devices.
The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Obex 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.
Pricing for the devices in this 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 clinical staff including but not limited to:
- Procurement Officers and supply chain personnel
- ICU, emergency, and critical care staff
- Anaesthetists
- Perioperative care staff
- Surgeons
- Dietitians
- Nurses (both inpatient and community based)
- Geriatricians
- Neurologists
- Gastroenterologists
- Paediatricians
- Suppliers and wholesalers
About the medical devices
Infusion devices
Infusion devices are medical devices used, or associated with devices used, in the infusion of fluids such as medications, intravenous solutions (such as saline, glucose, and electrolyte solutions), blood, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions into the body. This includes medical devices used in intravenous therapy as well as other infusion therapies.
PHARMAC’s infusion devices category includes:
- non-dedicated and consumable infusion devices not associated with infusion equipment; and
- infusion equipment and associated devices.
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) are contracted 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.
PHARMAC’s feeding devices category includes:
- Feeding equipment and associated devices
- Non-dedicated feeding devices
Urology products
Urology products are used in hospital and community setting, from short to long-term use. Urology products include urethral, suprapubic and sheath catheters, bags and accessories for the management of urinary drainage.
Why we’re proposing this
PHARMAC have previously issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for:
- supply of infusion devices (including non-dedicated and consumable infusion devices and infusion equipment and associated devices);
- supply of feeding devices and/or special foods delivered enterally or orally; and
- supply of urology, ostomy and continence products.
The RFPs were for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
PHARMAC has been working with suppliers who responded to the RFPs to seek provisional agreements.
This is the final proposal to be contracted as a result of the urology, ostomy and continence products RFP.
We expect to consult on further provisional agreements with suppliers of infusion and feeding devices throughout 2021.
Details about our proposal
PHARMAC has entered into a provisional agreement with Obex for the supply of infusion devices, feeding devices, and urology products.
The proposal would result in Pharmaceutical Schedule listings for:
Category |
Brands |
Number of Products |
---|---|---|
Non-dedicated and consumable infusion devices |
Cook Medical |
63 |
Non-dedicated feeding devices |
Cook Medical |
10 |
Urology products |
Cystobag |
161 |
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 4pm Wednesday 30 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
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