Proposal to list a range of medical thermometer products and medical devices used in the prevention of venous thromboembolisms (VTE Prevention) supplied by Protec Solutions Limited
What we are proposing
PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of medical thermometer and VTE Prevention products supplied by Protec Solutions Limited (“Protec”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 April 2018.
Consultation closes at 5pm Friday, 2 March 2018 and feedback can be emailed to alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
From 1 April 2018, conditional on the approval of PHARMAC’s Board or its delegate, Protec’s range of medical thermometers and VTE Prevention products would fall under a proposed national agreement (“Agreement”) that all DHBs may purchase under. This Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of medical thermometers and VTE Prevention products.
This Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Protec for the devices listed in the Schedule 1 of the Agreement. Any device listed in a PHARMAC Agreement and purchased by a DHB Hospital would be at the price, terms and conditions stated in the Agreement, effective from the date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
PHARMAC estimates the financial impact of this Agreement on DHBs to be a cost of $5,000 per annum, based on current usage levels. This consists of a cost of $6,000 per annum for medical thermometers and $1,000 savings per annum for VTE Prevention products.
As a part of the Agreement, Protec would provide educational services that would be tailored to the individual needs of DHB hospitals, in formats and at times as required by DHB Hospitals. Protec has some products that are new to DHB Hospitals and the Agreement would provide an increased range of medical thermometer products from which clinicians could choose.
DHBs would have access to educational services which would be tailored to suit the needs of the individual DHB Hospitals.
Pricing for the medical devices, subject to any prior termination of the Agreement, would not be increased until 1 April 2021.
Who we think will be interested
- Suppliers and Wholesalers
- DHB Staff:
- Clinicians
- Clinical Engineers
- Procurement Officers
About medical thermometers and VTE Prevention products
Medical thermometers are used to measure a patient’s body temperature. The ability to detect or monitor fever or hypothermia is vital to guide patient assessment and management. As the correct measurement of temperature is important, medical thermometer products contain a variety of sub-categories including electronic, infrared, temperature strips and probes.
The risk of events related to VTE, such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE), increase following prolonged stay in a bed following surgery or illness. VTE Prevention products include Graduated Compression Stockings, Intermittent Pneumatic Compression devices and Venous Foot Pump devices.
Why we’re proposing this
In February 2016 and May 2016, requests for proposals (RFPs) were issued for medical thermometer products, and medical devices used in VTE Prevention, respectively.
The RFPs were for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
PHARMAC has been working with suppliers in order to seek provisional agreements and this proposal is the latest to arise from these processes. We intend to consult on proposed agreements with other suppliers over the next few months.
Details about our proposal
PHARMAC has entered into a provisional Agreement with Protec for a range of medical thermometer and VTE prevention products. The full product ranges and pricing in this proposal has not been included in this consultation for brevity, however we are making it available to DHB personnel.
This proposal would result in Schedule listings for 4 medical thermometers and 31 VTE Prevention products. The full list of products in the proposal is attached to this consultation and brand ranges in the agreement include:
Medical thermometers
- Protec
VTE Prevention
- Thrombexin Graduated Compression Stockings
- Medi Butler
- Medi Tape
To provide feedback
Send us an email: alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz by 5pm Friday, 2 March 2018.
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.