Decision to list Negative Pressure Wound Therapy equipment and consumables (NPWT Products) supplied by Protec Solutions Limited

Hospital devices Decision

We are pleased to announce the approval of a listing agreement with Protec Solutions Limited (“Protec”) for the supply of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Equipment and Consumables (“NPWT Products”) to DHBs.

What we are doing

We are pleased to announce the approval of a listing agreement with Protec Solutions Limited (“Protec”) for the supply of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Equipment and Consumables (“NPWT Products”) to DHBs.

In summary, this will result in:

  • Protec’s NPWT Products being listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 March 2018 under a national agreement that all DHBs may purchase or rent under (“Agreement”).
  • DHBs being able to continue purchasing other supplier’s brands of NPWT Products, as the Agreement is not for sole supply.
  • No pricing increases for the products in the Agreement, subject to any prior termination of the Agreement, before 1 March 2021.

Any changes to the original proposal

This decision was subject to a consultation letter dated 12 January 2018.  There have been no changes to the listing agreement as a result of consultation feedback.

Who we think will be most interested

    • Suppliers and Wholesalers
    • DHB Staff:
      • Wound Care Clinicians
      • Community Nursing Services
      • Clinical Engineers
      • Procurement Officers

Details about this decision

In June 2017, a request for proposals (RFP) was issued for NPWT Products. The RPF requested proposals for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

After completing the RFP evaluation process, and consulting on the provisional Agreement reached with Protec, PHARMAC has decided to list Protec’s range of NPWT Products in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 March 2018.  

Protec’s NPWT Products include:

  • Exsudex brand of reusable NPWT units for purchase, daily rental, monthly rental and fleet rental
  • Optional upgrade to include NPWT instillation mechanism
  • Exsudex, Coldex, Surfasoft, Cavasan and Kerlix brands of NPWT consumables

The list of products will be available on PHARMAC's website from 1 March 2018, in both a PDF document and an Excel spreadsheet.

DHBs that procure Protec’s NPWT Products must do so under the terms and conditions, and at the prices, included in the Agreement, from 1 March 2018.

DHBs can continue to choose which NPWT Products they purchase.

The Agreement includes terms and conditions for training and education services to be provided by Protec to DHB personnel on the appropriate use of its NPWT Products, which is to be provided at times as agreed with individual DHBs. 

The Agreement sets out respective supplier and DHB responsibilities for maintenance and management of equipment under the various procurement options.

PHARMAC has been working with a range of suppliers to seek agreements and this Agreement is the latest to arise from that process.  Further consultations in this category are expected over the next few months. 

Our response to what you told us

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

All consultation responses received by 2 February 2018 were considered in their entirety in making a decision to approve Protec’s provisional Agreement. 

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

Theme

Comment

Impact on DHB claims to ACC if NPWT Products are not listed on the ACC catalogue.

PHARMAC understands that, provided the treatment is clinically indicated and is directly related to the patient’s covered ACC claim, ACC will cover the cost of NPWT consumables regardless of brand or supplier.  This may be through direct reimbursement or supply via ACC’s logistics provider and is subject to the provisions of the Public Health Acute Services and any other contractual agreements that are in place between ACC and the DHB.

DHB request for information regarding mechanisms for monitoring and managing compliance with relevant standards and legislation.

Information provided to the DHB. 

What level of assessment DHBs would need to complete in addition to PHARMAC’s evaluation.

DHBs are able to choose which products they use under this national contract, and can get information from the supplier for the DHB’s assessment.

DHB-specific requirements regarding delivery, shelf-life and after-hours support requirements.

Response provided to DHB noting what detail in included in the agreement.

Request for full product list.

Supplied.

Feedback that no technical or resource impacts are expected 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.