Proposal to list haemodialysis products supplied by BSN Medical Limited

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of haemodialysis equipment and products through a provisional agreement with BSN Medical Limited (“BSN Medical”).

What we’re proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of haemodialysis equipment and products (“Haemodialysis Products”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2019, through a provisional agreement with BSN Medical Limited (“BSN Medical”).

Consultation closes at 5pm on Tuesday, 4 December 2018 and feedback can be emailed to sarah.penno@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

For DHBs

From 1 February 2019, BSN Medical range of haemodialysis products would fall under the national agreement (“Agreement”) that all DHBs may purchase under. The Agreement provides national consistency for these devices as the terms and conditions, including price, stated in the Agreement apply to all DHB purchases from the date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

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

This Amendment would supersede any existing DHB contract with the supplier for the devices listed in the Schedule 1 of the Agreement.  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 BSN Medical Agreement could offer DHBs some savings based on current usage if these products are unbundled from the current arrangements with other suppliers. The Agreement includes products that are new to DHB Hospitals and would provide a greater range for clinicians to choose from.

Who we think will be interested

  • DHB Staff
    • Renal Dialysis staff
    • Procurement Officers
  • Suppliers

About haemodialysis products

Haemodialysis is used to treat renal failure, both acute and chronic. The leading cause of renal failure is diabetes. Patients require treatments to be performed on average three times per week with each session lasting on average four hours. Most treatment is provided in a DHB Hospital or DHB satellite centre, though some patients self-administer using equipment installed in their home.

Acute dialysis may be required for patients in intensive care who have undergone significant trauma or illness. Acute treatment may result in the patient’s full recovery or may lead to long term chronic dialysis.

Chronic haemodialysis is usually required until either the patient changes to peritoneal dialysis, receives a kidney transplant or no longer gains benefit from treatment and enters palliative care. 

Why we’re proposing this

In February 2018, PHARMAC issued a  Request for Proposals ("RFP") for the supply of haemodialysis equipment and products

The RFP was 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 is the second proposal to arise from that process. 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 BSN Medical for the supply of a range of haemodialysis related products. The exact product ranges and pricing in these proposals have not been included in this consultation for brevity but includes customised packs by Propax. We are making the full list available to Procurement Departments at DHBs.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: sarah.penno@pharmac.govt.nz by Tuesday 4 December 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.