Proposal to list continence products supplied by Downs Distributors Limited

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of continence products through a listing agreement with Downs Distributors Limited.

What we’re proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of continence products in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 September 2019, through a listing agreement with Downs Distributors Limited (“Downs”).

Consultation closes at 4pm on Tuesday, 16 April 2019 and feedback can be emailed to denise.mundy@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 September 2019, Downs’ range of continence products would be listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule under a national agreement for all DHBs to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate (“Agreement”).

The Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of continence products.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Downs for the continence products included in the Agreement.  Any continence products listed in the Agreement and purchased by the DHB, would be at the price, and the terms and conditions stated in the Agreement, effective from the date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

As part of the Agreement, Downs would provide training and education that would be tailored to the needs of the individual DHBs.

Who we think will be interested

  • Suppliers and Wholesalers
  • DHB Staff
    • clinical staff in a range of inpatient, outpatient and community settings where continence products are used or distributed
    • procurement and supply chain personnel

About the continence products

Continence products include a range of devices that are used in hospital and community settings to help manage bowel and bladder control problems, as well as nappies for babies and infants for use while they are in hospital.

Why we’re proposing this

In May 2018 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the supply of urology, ostomy and continence products.

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

PHARMAC is working with a range of suppliers to seek provisional agreements and this proposal is the latest to arise from that process.  We expect to consult on further proposed agreements in the urology, ostomy and continence categories over the coming months.

Details about our proposal

PHARMAC has entered into a provisional agreement with Downs for a range of continence products.

This proposal would result in listing 295 continence products on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

The brand ranges included in the Agreement are:

  • Miles
  • Needs Ltd
  • POPY
  • Portex

To provide feedback

Send us an email: denise.mundy@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm on Tuesday, 16 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.