Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Paragon Care Group New Zealand 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 Paragon Care Group New Zealand Limited (“Paragon”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 June 2023 in the following category:

Consultation closes at 4pm Tuesday 18 April 2023 and feedback can be emailed to taylor.wilson@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 June 2023, Paragon’s range of medical devices in the surgical implants, and medical and surgical instruments and power tools categories would be listed under a national agreement for all Te Whatu Ora Hospitals to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by Pharmac’s Board or delegate (“Agreement”).

The Agreement would not be for sole supply, with Te Whatu Ora continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of surgical implants or medical and surgical instruments and power tools.

The Agreement would supersede any existing Te Whatu Ora contracts with this supplier for the medical devices listed in Schedule 1 in the Agreement. Any device listed in the Pharmac Agreement and purchased by a Te Whatu Ora Hospital 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, Paragon would provide appropriate training and education services that would be tailored to the needs of the individuals Te Whatu Ora Hospitals, in formats and at times as required by Te Whatu Ora Hospitals.

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.

Who we think will be interested

  • Te Whatu Ora Hospital staff including but not limited to:
    • Surgeons
    • Perioperative staff
    • ICU, emergency, and critical care staff
    • Nurses
    • Surgical and general ward staff
    • Ambulatory care staff
    • Clinical engineers and maintenance services
    • Sterile services personnel
    • Procurement and supply chain personnel
  • Suppliers and wholesalers

About the medical devices

Surgical implants, medical and surgical instruments and power tools

Surgical implants are devices that are placed in or on the body. These devices support a range of functions, such as replacing damaged tissue, supporting existing tissue or enhancing existing bodily functions. Surgical implants as a group encompass a range of products, including reconstructive implants, surgical stents, orthopaedic soft tissue fixation, surgical mesh, ocular implants, aural implants and implantable neurostimulators.

Surgical and medical instruments and power tool products are used in a vast range of surgical and medical specialities and procedures. Some are more generally used within clinical practice and others have highly specific applications. Some require power sources or other equipment to perform their function.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2021 Pharmac issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the supply of surgical implants, medical and surgical instruments and power tools, and associated products.

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 to seek provisional agreements, and this is the latest proposal to arise from this process.

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in 446 medical devices being listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule covering the following brands:

  • Action Products
  • Advantage
  • Arc
  • Assist Arm
  • Assistarm
  • Autopass
  • Badger DRILL
  • Bio Mini Revo
  • BioScrew Guide Wire
  • bK
  • Blitz
  • Cannula
  • Carpal Tunnel
  • Codan
  • CrossFT
  • CrossFT Knotless
  • Crystal View
  • Dry DOC
  • Edge Arthroscopic Energy System
  • Equashield
  • Ergo
  • Ezstart
  • Genesys Matryx
  • GraftMax
  • Guide Pin
  • Guidewire
  • Hall Power
  • Hexflex Cannula
  • Hi-Fi
  • Hip Arthroscopy
  • Hyperfles Guide Wire
  • Infinity
  • K WIRE
  • Linvatec 10K Pump
  • Linvatec 24K Pump
  • Linvatec Cannula
  • Linvatec Manual Instruments
  • Medline
  • Meniscus Arrow
  • Meniscus Zone Specific
  • Microite
  • Microlink
  • Paradigm
  • Pinm Passer
  • PopLok
  • PRESSFT
  • Puddlevac
  • Sentinal Drill
  • Sequent
  • Smartnail
  • Spectrum
  • Spectrum Autopass
  • Spectrum MVP
  • Super Revo
  • Super Shuttle
  • Suture Retriever
  • Suture Saver
  • Tenolok
  • Threvo FT
  • Trident
  • Trushot
  • VCare
  • Xactpin
  • Xo Button
  • Y-Knot

Further information, including pricing and contractual details, has been provided to Te Whatu Ora procurement personnel. Clinicians interested in further detail on what this change means for their hospital should engage with their procurement teams.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: taylor.wilson@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm 18 April 2023.

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.