Proposal to list a range of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy equipment and consumables (NPWT Products) supplied by ConvaTec (New Zealand) Limited

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of NPWT Products supplied by ConvaTec (New Zealand) Limited (“ConvaTec”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2018.

In summary, this proposal would result in:

  • Schedule listings for the Avelle range of NPWT Products being supplied by ConvaTec under a proposed national agreement that all DHBs may purchase under, subject to consultation and approval (“Agreement”).
  • DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of NPWT Products, as the Agreement would not be for sole supply.
  • The products being available for DHBs to purchase at the PHARMAC negotiated prices and terms and conditions from 1 February 2018.
  • ConvaTec providing training and educational services that would be tailored to suit the needs of individual DHB Hospitals in formats and at times as required by DHBs.
  • Pricing for products in the Agreement, subject to any prior termination of the Agreement, would not be increased before 1 February 2021.

Feedback sought

PHARMAC welcomes feedback on this proposal. To provide feedback, please submit it in writing by 5pm, Friday 15 December 2017 to:

Denise Mundy
Device Category Manager
PHARMAC
PO Box 10254
Wellington 6143

Email: denise.mundy@pharmac.govt.nz

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.

Details of the proposal

PHARMAC has entered into a provisional Agreement with ConvaTec for the Avelle range of NPWT Products that includes a disposable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy unit and associated range of dressings. The full details of this product range and pricing is being made available to Procurement Departments at DHBs.

If the Agreement is approved by PHARMAC’s Board or its delegate, the Avelle range of NPWT Products supplied by ConvaTec would be listed from 1 February 2018 in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule, which contains products with national agreements that DHBs are able to purchase under.

DHBs would be able to continue to choose which NPWT Products they purchase.

The Agreement includes terms for training and education services to be provided by ConvaTec to DHB personnel on appropriate use of its NPWT Products, which is to be provided at times as agreed with individual DHBs.  These products are new to New Zealand DHBs and the Agreement would provide an increased range of NPWT Products from which clinicians could choose.

Background

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

The proposed agreement with ConvaTec is the first provisional agreement for the supply of NPWT products that PHARMAC has consulted on.  Further consultations in this category are expected over the next few months.