Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Paragon Care Group New Zealand Limited
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 a range of medical devices supplied by Paragon Care Group New Zealand Limited (“Paragon”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 01 August 2024 in the following categories:
- Anaesthetic machines, invasive ventilators, neonatal care and critical care patient monitoring (“critical care”);
- Patient assessment, monitoring and treatment devices
- Surgical implants
Consultation closes at 4pm Friday 7 June 2024 and feedback can be emailed to priscilla.patel@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
From 1 August 2024, Paragon’s range of medical devices in the categories above would be listed under a national agreement for all Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora ("Health NZ") 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 Critical Care devices, patient assessment, monitoring and treatment devices and surgical implants.
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.
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 the following areas:
- Clinical engineers and maintenance services
- ICU/ HDU/ NICU
- Neurologists and Neurosurgeons
- Nurses
- Ophthalmologists
- Patient Monitoring
- Perioperative staff
- Surgeons
- Surgical and general ward staff
- Procurement and supply chain
- Wards and Outpatient Clinics
- Suppliers and wholesalers
About the medical devices
Critical care
Critical care is the provision of specialised, continuous, multidisciplinary care for patients in a life-threatening, but treatable, condition. The critical care devices can loosely be grouped into three categories:
- Anaesthetic and invasive ventilation devices
- Neonatal care devices
- Critical care patient monitoring
Patient assessment, monitoring and treatment devices
Patient assessment, monitoring and treatment devices include equipment and consumable medical devices that are used in a variety of clinical settings to assess, monitor and treat patients. Clinical areas of use include Audiology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Neurosciences and Psychology, Ophthalmology, Somnology, Urology, Vascular Medicine, Wards and Outpatient Clinics.
Surgical implants
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. The surgical implants encompass product ranges of reconstructive implants, surgical stents, orthopaedic soft tissue fixation, surgical mesh, ocular implants, aural implants and implantable neurostimulators.
Why we’re proposing this
Pharmac issued the following Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”) for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule:
- 2018: Multi-category patient assessment, monitoring and treatment equipment and consumables
- 2020: Anaesthetic machines, invasive ventilation devices and critical care patient monitoring devices.
- 2021: Surgical implants, medical and surgical instruments and power tools, and associated products
Pharmac has been working with suppliers who responded to these RFPs and were successful in being progressed to contract negotiation to seek provisional agreements. This proposal is the latest to arise from these processes.
Details about our proposal
Pharmac has entered into a provisional agreement with Paragon for the supply of critical care, patient assessment, monitoring and treatment devices and surgical implants.
The proposal would result in Pharmaceutical Schedule listings for:
|
Category |
Manufacturer brands |
Line items |
|---|---|---|
|
Critical care |
|
21 |
|
Patient assessment, monitoring and treatment devices |
|
23 |
| Surgical implants |
|
539 |
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 Health NZ hospitals should engage with their procurement teams.
To provide feedback
Send us an email: priscilla.patel@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm 7 June 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.
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