Proposal to amend or list medical devices supplied by Boucher & Muir (NZ) Ltd

What we’re proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to amend current listings and extend the range of insulin pen needles supplied by Boucher & Muir (NZ) Ltd (“Boucher & Muir”), through a non-exclusive provisional agreement.

It is proposed that:

• from 1 June 2019 Boucher & Muir’s brand of insulin pen needle would be available to DHBs at a reduced price; and
• from 1 June 2019 four additional sizes of insulin pen needles supplied by Boucher & Muir would be listed in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule. 

Consultation closes at 4pm on Thursday, 4 April 2019 and feedback can be emailed to chloe.dimock@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

For Community Patients, Pharmacies and Prescribers

There would be no change to the funded access of subsidised insulin pen needle products available. However, the price and subsidy of the insulin pen needle product supplied by Boucher & Muir (currently listed as ABM) would be reduced from 1 June 2019. The insulin pen needle product would remain fully subsidised.

For DHBs supplying medical devices either in hospitals or in the community

From 1 June 2019, Boucher & Muir’s range of insulin pen needle products would be amended & extended under the proposed national agreement for all DHBs to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate (“Agreement”).

This Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of insulin pen needle. The Agreement includes additional insulin pen needles sizes new to DHB Hospitals & their funded services and would provide a greater range of products for clinical staff to choose from.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Boucher & Muir for the devices included in the Agreement. Any medical device listed in the Agreement and purchased by a DHB 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 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

• Suppliers and Wholesalers;
• DHB procurement & supply chain personnel;
• Pharmacists (community and hospital.)
• Patients who use insulin pen needles;
• Health care professionals who support people who use insulin pen needles.

About needles and syringes - insulin pen needles

Needles and syringes

Needles and syringes are medical devices predominantly used to inject fluids (such as medicines) into or withdraw fluids from the body (such as blood). Syringes are also used for a variety of other purposes such as for flushing, irrigating and are also used with medical gases and air. These medical devices are used across a wide range of clinical settings.

Insulin pen needles are single use, sterile, medical devices designed to be used in conjunction with pen injectors for subcutaneous injection of diabetes medication.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2017 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for needles and syringes.

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

PHARMAC has been working with suppliers to seek provisional agreements and this proposal is the latest to arise from this process. We expect to consult on further proposed agreements in this category over the coming months.

Details about our proposal

PHARMAC has entered into a provisional Agreement with Boucher & Muir for a range of insulin pen needle products. Pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel.

The proposal would result in the following Pharmaceutical Schedule changes: 

To provide feedback

Send us an email: chloe.dimock@pharmac.govt.nz by 4 pm 4 April 2019.

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.

Feedback we receive is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) and we will consider any request to have information withheld in accordance with our obligations under the OIA. Anyone providing feedback, whether on their own account or on behalf of an organisation, and whether in a personal or professional capacity, should be aware that the content of their feedback and their identity may need to be disclosed in response to an OIA request.

We are not able to treat any part of your feedback as confidential unless you specifically request that we do, and then only to the extent permissible under the OIA and other relevant laws and requirements. If you would like us to withhold any commercially sensitive, confidential proprietary, or personal information included in your submission, please clearly state this in your submission and identify the relevant sections of your submission that you would like it withheld. PHARMAC will give due consideration to any such request.