Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Bard Australia Pty Limited

We propose to list medical devices supplied by Cardinal Health in the following categories:

• surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs;
• endomechanical and electrosurgical products;
• urology products; and
• continence products.

Consultation closes at 4pm Wednesday 21 October 2020 and feedback can be emailed to enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 December 2020, Bard’s ranges of medical devices in the categories listed above would be listed 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 surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs, urology products, continence products, and endomechanical and electrosurgical products.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Bard for the medical devices included in the Agreement. Any device listed in the 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.

As part of the Agreement, Bard would provide appropriate training and education services that would be tailored to the needs of the individuals DHBs, in formats and at times as required by DHBs.

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

• Suppliers and Wholesalers
• DHB clinical staff in a range of different clinical settings including:
  • inpatient, outpatient and community settings where urology, and continence products are used;
  • general wards;
  • perioperative;
  • infection control;
  • central sterile services personnel; and
  • occupational health and safety.
• DHB procurement and supply chain personnel
• Other clinical care providers such as ambulance and hospice providers

About the medical devices

Surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs

Single use sterile surgical drapes are used during surgery to reduce the risk of infection of the surgical site by isolating and protecting the surgical site from exposure to microorganisms that may be present in the patient’s own microbial flora, the operating theatre environment, or on members of the surgical team.

Single use sterile surgical gowns are personal protective garments intended to be worn over the scrub suit of the operating team during surgical procedures.

Procedure packs are customisable and made specifically to the DHB’s clinician’s needs. They include a variety of disposable items.

Endomechanical and electrosurgical products

Endomechanical and Electrosurgical Products 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 products 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.

Urology and continence products

Urology and continence products are used in hospital and community setting, from short to long-term use.

Urology products include urethral, suprapubic and sheath catheters, bags and accessories for the management of urinary drainage.

Continence products include a range of devices to help manage bowel and bladder control problems, including pads, collection systems and skin protection products, as well as nappies for infants for use while they are in hospital.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2018 PHARMAC issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for:

• endomechanical instruments, electrosurgical instruments, energy platforms and consumables;
• single-use sterile surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs and
• supply of urology, ostomy and continence products.

The RFPs were for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

PHARMAC is working with a range of suppliers to seek provisional agreements in the above categories, this proposal is the latest to arise from these processes.  We expect to consult on further proposed agreements in the above categories over the coming months.

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in Pharmaceutical Schedule listings for Bard as follows:

Further information, including pricing and contractual details, has been provided to DHB Procurement personnel. Clinicians interested in further detail on what this change means for their DHB should engage with their Procurement teams.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm Wednesday 21 October 2020.

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.