Proposal to list anaesthesia small equipment and consumable devices supplied by MedXus Limited and REM SYSTEMS Limited
PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of anaesthesia small equipment and consumable devices in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 April 2018.
We propose to list a range of anaesthesia small equipment and consumable devices (“anaesthesia products”) supplied by:
- MedXus Limited (“MedXus)
- REM SYSTEMS Limited (“REM SYSTEMS”)
Consultation closes at 5pm on Thursday, 8 February 2018 and feedback can be emailed to jacquie.pillay@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
For DHBs
From 1 April 2018, MedXus and REM SYSTEMS ranges of Anaesthesia Products would fall under two proposed national agreements (“Agreements”) that all DHBs may purchase under. Listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule would be conditional on the approval of PHARMAC’s Board or its delegate. These Agreements would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of Anaesthesia Products.
These Agreements would supersede any existing DHB contracts with these suppliers for the devices listed in the Schedule One of these Agreements. Any device listed in a PHARMAC 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.
PHARMAC estimates that the MedXus Agreement would offer national savings to DHBs of $22,000 per annum, based on current usage. The REM SYSTEMS Agreement is cost neutral to all DHBs, based on current usage.
Both of these companies have some products that are new to DHBs and the Agreements would provide an increased range of Anaesthesia Products from which clinicians could choose.
As a part of the Agreements these companies 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.
Pricing for Anaesthesia Products, subject to any prior termination of the Agreements, would not be increased without prior consultation and approval by PHARMAC.
Who we think will be interested
- Suppliers and Wholesalers
- DHB Staff
- Clinical Engineers
- Anaesthetists
- Anaesthetic Technicians
- Clinical staff involved with airway management and emergency respiratory resuscitation
- Procurement Officers
About the anaesthesia products category
The scope of the Anaesthesia Products category was defined as:
- Airway visualisation devices and associated consumablesStand-alone depth of anaesthesia monitoring systems and associated consumables
- Consumable medical devices used for the purpose of:
- Acute airway management
- Anaesthesia gas delivery
Consumable medical devices included both single use items and defined-life multiple use items.
These devices are integral to the delivery of anaesthesia and are ubiquitous supplies in all DHB operating theatres. Some of these devices are also used for airway management and emergency respiratory resuscitation and as such may also be used by clinicians other than anaesthetists.
Why we’re proposing this
In March 2017 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for anaesthesia products. The RFP was for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
PHARMAC has been working with suppliers to seek provisional agreements. In January 2018 PHARMAC finalised contracts with four companies. These two proposals are the latest to arise from the contracting process. We intend to consult on additional proposed agreements with other suppliers over the next few months.
Details about our proposal
PHARMAC has entered into individual provisional agreements with MedXus and REM SYSTEMS for a range of Anaesthesia Products.
This proposal would result in Pharmaceutical Schedule listings for 123 products from MedXus and 153 products from REM SYSTEMS.
The full list of products in the proposals is attached to this consultation. Pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel.
To provide feedback
Send us an email: jacquie.pillay@pharmac.govt.nz by 5 pm Thursday 8 February 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.