Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited

What we’re proposing

Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to list medical devices supplied by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited (“Fisher & Paykel”)  in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 September 2023 in the following categories:

• Non-invasive ventilation and consumables
• Medical and surgical instruments and power tools

Consultation closes at 4pm Wednesday 2 August 2023 and feedback can be emailed to Adyam.Markos@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 September 2023 medical devices in the above-mentioned categories would be listed under a proposed 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 and Te Whatu Ora hospitals can continue to purchase other suppliers’ brands of non-invasive ventilation devices and medical and surgical instruments and power tools.

The Agreement would supersede any existing Te Whatu Ora agreements with Fisher & Paykel for products included in the Agreement. Any products listed in the Agreement and purchased by a Te Whatu Ora hospital 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 Fisher & Paykel would provide appropriate training and education services that would be tailored to the individual needs of 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, would not be increased without prior consultation and approval by Pharmac.

Who we think will be interested

• Suppliers and wholesalers
• Te Whatu Ora Hospital staff:
  • Ambulatory care staff
  • Clinical engineers and maintenance services
  • Clinical staff in a range of inpatient, outpatient and community settings where non-invasive ventilation and consumables are used
  • Geriatricians
  • ICU, emergency, and critical care staff
  • Neurologists and Neurosurgeons
  • Nurses
  • Perioperative staff
  • Procurement and supply chain personnel
  • Sterile services personnel
  • Surgeons
  • Surgical and general ward staff

About the medical devices

Non-invasive ventilation and consumables

Non-invasive ventilation and consumables products are used to assist people with a wide range of airway and breathing related illnesses, that are often long-term in nature, in both hospital and community settings. Non-invasive ventilation therapy is a patient ventilation treatment that supports breathing without the need for intubation or surgical airways and can be delivered through positive pressure or negative pressure modalities.

Pharmac’s non-invasive ventilation and consumables category includes positive and negative pressure ventilation devices, oxygen concentration devices and respiratory gas humidifiers and their associated consumables and accessories. A wide range of clinicians and support people can be involved with these therapies, including respiratory physicians, general physicians, respiratory nurses, respiratory therapists, pulmonary rehabilitation specialists, sleep therapists, nurses across many areas, and people in the community.

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 2018 Pharmac issued a Requests for Proposals (“RFP”) for the supply of non-invasive ventilation and consumables.

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 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.

Further provisional agreements with the suppliers of non-invasive ventilation and consumables as well as suppliers of medical and surgical instruments and power tools will be progressed  throughout 2023.

Details about our proposal

Pharmac has entered into a provisional agreement with Fisher & Paykel for the supply of the medical devices above. The proposal would result in 549 medical devices being listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule covering the following brands:

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: Adyam.Markos@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm Wednesday 2 August 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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