Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Ambu New Zealand Pty Limited
What we’re proposing
Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to list electrocardiogram equipment and accessories (“ECG devices”) supplied by Ambu New Zealand Pty Limited (“Ambu”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 April 2025.
Consultation closes at 4pm Tuesday 4 March 2025 and feedback can be emailed to alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
From 1 April 2025, Ambu’s ECG devices would be listed under a national agreement for all Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (“Health NZ”) hospitals to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by Pharmac’s Board or delegate.
The agreement would not be for sole supply, with Health NZ hospitals continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of ECG devices.
The agreement would supersede any existing Health NZ contracts with Ambu for the medical devices listed in the agreement. Any device listed in the Pharmac agreement and purchased by a Health NZ hospital 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, Ambu would provide appropriate training and education services that would be tailored to the needs of individual Health NZ hospitals, in formats and at times as required by Health NZ hospitals.
Pricing for the medical devices in the agreement, subject to any prior termination of the agreement, would not be increased without prior consultation and approval by Pharmac.
Who we think will be interested
- Health NZ hospital staff including:
- Clinical Engineers and Maintenance Services
- Clinical Product Evaluators
- Cardiologists
- Cardiac Physiologists and Perfusionists
- Maternity Care Specialists
- Procurement and Supply Chain Personnel
- Suppliers and wholesalers
About electrocardiogram equipment and accessories
The electrocardiogram equipment and accessories category includes medical devices used to collect, measure and interpret the electrical activity of the heart. This includes electrocardiogram monitors, holter monitors and associated accessories (such as gels, electrodes and leads).
Why we’re proposing this
Pharmac issued a registration of interest (“ROI”) in 2021 for the supply of electrocardiogram equipment and accessories. The ROI invited registrations of interest for the supply of medical devices where New Zealand Health Partnerships, now part of Health NZ, has previously released an RFP process for suppliers for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
The ROI was for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
Pharmac has been working with suppliers who responded to the ROI to seek provisional agreements. This proposal is the latest to arise from this process and we expect to consult on further provisional agreements with suppliers in this category.
Details about our proposal
The proposal would result in 14 Ambu brand ECG devices being listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 April 2025.
Further information, including pricing and contractual details, has been provided to Health NZ procurement personnel. Clinicians interested in further detail on what this proposal means for their hospital should engage with the Health NZ procurement team.
To provide feedback
Send us an email: alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm Tuesday 4 March 2025.
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.
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