Decision to list medical devices supplied by Apex Medical NZ Limited

Hospital devices Decision

We're pleased to announce the approval of a non-exclusive listing agreement with Apex Medical NZ Limited (“Apex Medical”) for the supply of respiratory equipment and consumables.

In summary this will result in 13 of Apex Medical’s products being listed in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 November 2020 under a national agreement that all DHBs may purchase under (“Agreement”). 

DHBs would continue to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of respiratory equipment and consumable products as the agreement is not for sole supply.

Any changes to the original proposal?

This decision was subject to a consultation letter dated 10 September 2020.

No changes were made to the agreement following consultation feedback.

Who we think will be most interested

  • Clinical and non-clinical DHB staff:
    • Clinical/biomedical engineers
    • Anaesthetists and anaesthetic technicians
    • Clinical staff involved with airway management and emergency respiratory resuscitation
    • Respiratory clinicians
    • Respiratory therapists
    • Pulmonary function specialists
    • Pulmonary rehabilitation specialists
    • Procurement and supply chain personnel
  • Suppliers and Wholesalers

Details about this decision

In 2017 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP") for respiratory equipment and consumables.

The RFP was for non-exclusive national agreements for listing in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

After completing the RFP evaluation process, and consulting on the provisional agreement reached with Apex Medical, PHARMAC has decided to list Apex Medical’s medical sevices in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 November 2020.

The list of products will be available on PHARMAC’s website from 1 November 2020 in both PDF and Excel spreadsheet formats.

DHBs can continue to choose which respiratory equipment and consumables they purchase, including those from other suppliers. DHBs that purchase respiratory equipment and consumables from Apex Medical must do so under the terms and conditions, including pricing, in the Agreement, from 1 November 2020.

The Agreement includes terms and conditions for training and education to be provided by Apex Medical on the appropriate use of its products, which is to be provided at times as agreed with individual DHBs.

Our response to what you told us

We appreciate the time people took to respond to this consultation.

A summary of the main themes raised in feedback and our responses to the feedback received, are set out below: 

Theme

Comment

No technical or resource impacts are anticipated as a result of the proposal.

Noted.

If you have any questions about this decision, you can email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz; or call our toll free number (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) on 0800 66 00 50.