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 May 2022 through a non-exclusive provisional agreement.

We propose to list medical devices supplied in the following categories:

Consultation closes at 4pm Thursday 17 March 2022 and feedback can be emailed to adyam.markos@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 May 2022 rehabilitation products and dental and oral health products supplied by Obex would be listed under proposed national agreement from 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 and dental and oral health products.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB agreement with Obex. 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 Obex 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 Agreements, would not be increased without prior consultation and approval by Pharmac.

Who we think will be interested

  • DHB clinical staff in a range of different clinical settings including but not limited to:
    • Dental Hubs
    • Mobile Schools
    • Community Dental Clinics
    • Orthodontists
    • Clinical engineers and maintenance services
    • DHB procurement and supply chain
    • Geriatricians
    • Neurologists and Neurosurgeons
    • Nurses
    • Occupational therapists
    • Orthopaedic surgeons
    • Orthotists
    • Paediatricians
    • Physiotherapists
    • Podiatrists
    • Rehabilitation’s physicians (including spinal units)
    • Speed-language therapists
    • Procurement Officers and supply chain personnel
  • Suppliers and wholesalers

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.

Dental and oral health

The dental and oral health category includes medical devices used in dental settings in DHB hospitals for the management of dental and oral health.

Why we’re proposing this

In September 2019 Pharmac issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the supply of dental and oral health products.

In October 2018 Pharmac issued a Request for Proposals ("RFP") supply of rehabilitation equipment, patient positioning products and supports.

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, and proposals were progressed to contract negotiations, to seek provisional agreements.

These proposals are the latest to arise from these processes and we expect to consult on further provisional agreements with the suppliers of rehabilitation products, and dental and oral health products throughout 2022.

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in listing 641 medical devices in the Pharmaceutical Schedule covering the following product ranges:

Category

Line items

Brands

Rehabilitation products

59

  • Bio Compression
  • OAPL
  • OPED

Dental and oral health products

582

  • Surgical Holdings
  • AS Medizintechnik
  • S Murray
  • Boss Instruments
  • DTR Medical
  • Tontarra Medizintechnik

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: adyam.markos@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm 17 March 2022.

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.

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