Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Ossur New Zealand Limited

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

Te Pātaka Whaioranga - 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 Ossur New Zealand Limited (“Ossur”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 November 2023.

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

Consultation closes at 4pm Monday 18 September 2023 and feedback can be emailed to mikka.nocete@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 November 2023, rehabilitation products supplied by Ossur 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 could continue to purchase other suppliers’ brands of rehabilitation products.

The Agreement would supersede any existing Te Whatu Ora contracts with Ossur for the products included in the Agreement. Any medical devices listed in the Agreement and purchased by Te Whatu Ora hospitals 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.

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 staff including but not limited to:
    • Clinical engineers and maintenance services
    • Geriatricians
    • Neurologists and Neurosurgeons
    • Nurses
    • Occupational therapists
    • Orthopaedic surgeons
    • Orthotists
    • Paediatricians
    • Physiotherapists
    • Procurement officers and supply chain personnel
    • Podiatrists
    • Rehabilitation physicians (including spinal units)
    • Speech-language therapists
  • 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.

Why we’re proposing this

In March 2023, Pharmac issued a Request for Proposal (“RFP”) for the supply of orthotic products to New Zealand Te Whatu Ora hospitals.

These products are set out in the rehabilitation products subcategories:

  • Podiatry orthotics and specialised footwear
  • Immobilisers, bracing and support devices

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. This proposal consists of the latest agreement to arise from this process.

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in listing 926 line items from the brands Anatomical Concepts, Darco, HTFO, OPC, OSSUR and OTS in the Pharmaceutical Schedule supplied by Ossur.

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: mikka.nocete@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm 18 September 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.