Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Obex Medical Limited

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

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 November 2021.

We propose to list medical devices in the following category:

Consultation closes at 4pm Wednesday 6 October 2021 and feedback can be emailed to ruben.kunst-sopacua@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 November, Obex’s ranges of medical devices in the category listed above would be listed under a national agreement for all DHBs to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by Pharmac’s Board or delegate (“Agreement”).

The Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs, and cardiac heart valves and accessories.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Obex for the medical devices included in the Agreement. Any device listed in the 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.

As part of the Agreement, Obex would provide appropriate training and education services that would be tailored to the needs of the individuals DHBs, in formats and at times as required by DHBs.

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

The Agreement also includes medical devices within the cardiac heart valves and accessories category where the contractual terms and conditions have transferred from New Zealand Health Partnerships (“NZHP”) to Pharmac. There are no changes to the intent of the contractual terms and conditions, including pricing, that are currently in place with NZHP in relation to these categories, and Pharmac is not seeking feedback on this aspect of the Agreement.

Who we think will be interested

  • Suppliers and wholesalers
  • DHB  clinical staff in a range of clinical settings including:
    • inpatient, outpatient and community settings;
    • general wards;
    • perioperative;
    • infection control;
    • central sterile services personnel;
    • occupational health and safety.
  • DHB procurement and supply chain personnel

About surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs

Single use sterile surgical drapes are used during surgery to reduce the risk of infection of the surgical site by isolating and protecting the surgical site from exposure to microorganisms that may be present in the patient’s own microbial flora, the operating theatre environment, or on members of the surgical team.

Single use sterile surgical gowns are personal protective garments intended to be worn over the scrub suit of the operating team during surgical procedures.

Procedure packs are customisable and made specifically to the DHB’s clinician’s needs. They include a variety of disposable items.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2018 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposal (“RFP”) for the supply of single-use sterile surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs

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

Pharmac is working with a range of suppliers to seek provisional agreements in this category, this proposal is the latest to arise from these processes. 

We expect to consult on further proposed agreements in the surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs category over the coming months.

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in Pharmaceutical Schedule listings for 261 surgical drapes and gowns supplied by Obex. The proposed surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs are from Advance and Nilymed’s brands.

A full product list with pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: ruben.kunst-sopacua@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm Wednesday 6 October 2021.

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