Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Arthrex New Zealand Limited
What we’re proposing
Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of medical devices supplied by Arthrex New Zealand Limited (“Arthrex”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 May 2025 in the following categories:
Consultation closes at 4pm, Thursday 13 March 2025 and feedback can be emailed to taylor.wilson@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
From 1 May 2025, Arthrex’s range of medical devices in the surgical implants, and medical and surgical instruments and power tools categories 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 continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of surgical implants, and medical and surgical instruments and power tools.
The agreement would supersede any existing Health NZ contracts with Arthrex 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, Arthrex 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
- ICU, emergency, and critical care staff
- Neurologists and Neurosurgeons
- Nurses
- Opthalmologists
- Perioperative staff
- Procurement and supply chain
- Sterile services personnel
- Surgeons
- Surgical and general ward staff
- Suppliers and wholesalers
About these products
Surgical implants are devices that are placed in or on the body. These devices support a range of functions, such as replacing damaged tissue, supporting existing tissue or enhancing existing bodily functions. The surgical implants encompass product ranges of reconstructive implants, surgical stents, orthopaedic soft tissue fixation, surgical mesh, ocular implants, aural implants and implantable neurostimulators.
Medical and surgical instruments and power tool products are used in a vast range of medical and surgical specialities and procedures. Some are more generally used within clinical practice and others have highly specific applications. Some require power sources or other equipment to perform their function.
Why we’re proposing this
In 2021 Pharmac issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the supply of surgical implants, medical and surgical instruments and power tools, and associated products.
The RFP was for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
Pharmac has been working with suppliers who responded to the RFP and were successful in being progressed to contract negotiation to seek provisional agreements. This is the latest proposal to arise from this process.
Details about our proposal
The proposal would result in 4,165 medical devices being listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule covering the following brands:
|
Category |
Number of devices |
Brand |
|---|---|---|
|
Surgical implants |
3,347 |
Achilles SpeedBridge, Arthrex, Bicep Button, Bi-Cortical Post, Bio-Compression, BioSync, Chondral Dart, Complete Foot Set, Compression, Corkscrew, CPR Viper, DogBone, DynaNite, Eclipse, FastTak, Fiber, Fibulock, FxBridge, Humeral SuturePlate, Internal Brace, LifeNet Health, Low Profile VA Locking Screw, LPS, MaxForce, Mesh Plate, Metatarsal Hook Plate, Micro Suture Lasso, Mini, Nano, PARS, PassPort, Patella SuturePlate, Pec Button, Profile Plate, ProStop, PushLock, Quick, RetroFusion, Soft Screw, Spiked, Suture, SwiveLock, Tiger, TightRope, Trim-It, TripleDam, Twist-In, Univers, Variable Angle Locking |
|
Medical and surgical instruments and power tools |
818 |
Arthrex, Chondral Darts, Complete Foot Set, Compression, CorkScrew, Crystal, DynaNite, Eclipse, EndoBlade, Fibulock, Gemini, Graft Passing Wire, HCS Screw, LabralTape, Low Profile Reamer, LPS, MegaBiter, Micro Suture Lasso, Mini CFS, Nano, No-Squirt, ProStop, RetroFusion, Rhino, Rotation Lasso, Scorpion, Shoehorn, Suture Passing Wire, Synergy Resection System, Trim-It, Trimano , VIP, WideBiter, Wrist Tower, Zone Navigation |
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: taylor.wilson@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm, Thursday 13 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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