Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Universal Specialities, Balance Medical and Surgical Supplies Ltd

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 in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 September 2023 in the following category:

These will be supplied by:

  • Universal Specialties Limited (“USL”)
  • Balance Medical Limited (“Balance Medical”) and
  • Surgical Supplies Limited ("Surgical Supplies”).

Consultation closes at 4pm Tuesday 25 July 2023 and feedback can be emailed to kendra.boyes@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 September 2023 medical devices supplied by USL, Balance Medical and Surgical Supplies in the adhesives, sealants and haemostats category would be listed under proposed national agreements for all Te Whatu Ora hospitals to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by Pharmac’s Board or delegate (“Agreements”).

The Agreements would not be for sole supply and Te Whatu Ora hospitals could continue to purchase other supplier’s brands of adhesive, sealant or haemostat products.

Any medical device listed in the Agreements and purchased by Te Whatu Ora hospitals would be in accordance with the terms and conditions, including price, stated in the Agreements effective from the date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

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

Who we think will be interested

  • Te Whatu Ora staff in a range of different clinical settings including but not limited to:
    • Emergency service personnel
    • General ward clinicians and nurses
    • Operating theatre nurses
    • Surgeons
  • Procurement and supply chain personnel
  • Suppliers and wholesalers

About the medical devices

Adhesives, sealants and haemostats

Adhesives, sealants, and haemostats are medical devices used in surgical and non-surgical procedures to achieve haemostasis, tissue sealing, fixation and/or wound closure. The products vary relating to their purpose, function, composition, application and clinical indication. There are adhesive, sealant, and haemostat products used in general surgical applications, as well as products designed and used for specific clinical indications/specialty areas.

Why we’re proposing this

In February 2023 Pharmac issued the following Request for Proposals (RFP):

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 were successful in being progressed to contract negotiation to seek provisional agreements. This proposal consists of the first agreements to arise from this process and we expect to consult on further provisional agreements with suppliers in this category throughout 2023.

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in listing 22 medical devices in the adhesives, sealants and haemostats category on the Pharmaceutical Schedule as follows:

Supplier

Brands

Line Items

USL

  • Liquiband             

5

Balance Medical

  • BloodStop iX

5

Surgical Supplies

  • Meriglu
  • Merizelle

12

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 Te Whatu Ora Hospital should engage with their Procurement teams.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: kendra.boyes@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm Tuesday 25 July 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.

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