Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Bio Serve NZ 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 Bio Serve NZ Limited (“Bio Serve”)  in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 August 2024 for the following:

Consultation closes at 4pm Thursday 30 May 2024 and feedback can be emailed to taylor.wilson@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 August 2024, Bio Serve’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 Health New Zealand | 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 Health NZ continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of surgical implants, and medical and surgical instruments and power tools.

The Agreement would supersede any existing Health NZ contracts with this supplier for the medical devices listed in the Agreement. Any device listed in the Pharmac Agreement and purchased by a Health NZ 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, Bio Serve would provide appropriate training and education services that would be tailored to the needs of the individuals Health NZ hospitals, in formats and at times as required by Health NZ 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

  • Health NZ staff including but not limited to:
    • ICU, emergency, and critical care staff
    • Neurologists and Neurosurgeons
    • Nurses
    • Ophthalmologists
    • Perioperative staff
    • Sterile services personnel
    • Surgeons
    • Surgical and general ward staff
    • Clinical engineers and maintenance services
    • Procurement and supply chain
  • 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 and were successful in being progressed to contract negotiation to seek provisional agreements. This is the latest proposal to arise from this process.

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in 37 medical devices being listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule covering the following brands:

Category

Number of devices

Brand

Surgical implants

2

Exmoor

Medical and surgical instruments and power tools

35

Drainstar, Ecolab, Exmoor, JosNoe, Unimax

Further information, including pricing and contractual details, has been provided to Health NZ 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 30 May 2024.

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.