Proposal to list rehabilitation products supplied by Arjo New Zealand 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 Arjo New Zealand Limited (“Arjo”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 October 2021.
Consultation closes at 4pm Tuesday 31 August 2021 and feedback can be emailed to alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
From 1 October 2021 rehabilitation products supplied by Arjo 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 can continue to purchase other suppliers’ brands of rehabilitation products.
The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB agreements with Arjo for the medical devices included in the Agreement. Any medical device 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 in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
As part of the Agreement Arjo 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 rehabilitation 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
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 520 rehabilitation products in the Pharmaceutical Schedule, supplying medical devices for purchase and rental and covers the following ranges:
- Airpal
- Arjo
- Dunlop
- Ferno
- Seating Matters
- Seers
- TechAssist
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: alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm Tuesday 31 August 2021.
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