Proposal to list endomechanical and electrosurgical medical devices supplied by Device Technologies Australia Pty Ltd

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of endomechanical and electrosurgical medical devices.

What we’re proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of endomechanical and electrosurgical medical devices on Section H Part III of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 August 2019 through a listing agreement with Device Technologies Australia Pty Ltd (“Device Technologies Australia”).

Consultation closes at 5pm on Wednesday, 26 June 2019 and feedback can be emailed to jeremy.price@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 August 2019 Device Technologies Australia’s range of endomechanical and electrosurgical medical devices would be listed under the proposed 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 Endomechanical and Electrosurgical products.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Device Technologies Australia for the endomechanical and electrosurgical medical devices listed in the Agreement. Any endomechanical and electrosurgical medical devices 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.

As part of the Agreement Device Technologies Australia would provide training and education that would be tailored to meet the needs of individual DHB Hospitals.

Who we think will be interested

  • Suppliers and Wholesalers
  • Clinical and non-clinical DHB staff:
    • Clinical/Biomedical Engineers
    • Perioperative staff
    • Sterile services staff
    • Outpatient staff
    • Procurement and supply chain personnel

About endomechanical and electrosurgical medical devices

Endomechanical and electrosurgical medical devices are used in a vast range of surgical specialties and procedures. Many have been specifically designed to be used for minimally invasive surgical techniques whilst others are only used in open surgery procedures. Some require power sources or other equipment to perform their function.

The endomechanical and electrosurgical medical devices category encompasses the product ranges of endomechanical instruments, electrosurgical instruments, energy platforms and their associated consumable products This covers both disposable and re-usable options, as well as the portable power sources or other equipment that specific instruments may require to be functional.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2018 PHARMAC issued Requests for Proposals for endomechanical instruments, electrosurgical instruments, energy platforms and consumable products (“Endomechanical and Electrosurgical Products”).

We have been working with suppliers in order to seek provisional agreements, and this is the latest agreement to be negotiated with a proposed listing date of 1 August 2019.

We expect to consult on further provisional agreements, with other suppliers, over the next few months.

Details about our proposal

PHARMAC has entered into a provisional agreement with Device Technologies Australia for their range of Endomechanical and Electrosurgical Products.

A full list of the products has not been included in this consultation for brevity, however we are making it available, along with pricing information, to appropriate DHB personnel.

The following information provides a summary of the brands and product ranges in the proposed agreement:

Range of products proposed

Brands proposed

Bipolar cables

  • Olsen

Bipolar forceps

  • Symmetry Surgical

To provide feedback

Send us an email: jeremy.price@pharmac.govt.nz by 5pm on Wednesday, 26 June 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.