Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Becton Dickinson Limited

What we’re proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of needles and syringes in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 June 2019, through a non-exclusive provisional agreement with Becton Dickinson Limited (“BD”).

Consultation closes at 4pm on Wednesday, 1 May 2019 and feedback can be emailed to chloe.dimock@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 June 2019, BD’s range of needles and syringes products 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”).

This Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of needles and syringes. The Agreement includes currently used products and products that are new to DHBs and their funded services and would provide a greater range of products for clinical staff to choose from.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with BD for the devices included in the Agreement. Any medical device 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, BD would provide educational services that would be tailored to the individual needs of the DHB, in formats and at times as required by the DHB.

Pricing for the 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

• All DHB clinical and technical staff including but not limited to:
  • Allied Health staff;
  • Anaesthetists;
  • Clinical Engineers;
  • Clinical and technical staff working in surgical and medical units, emergency departments, intensive and critical care units, perioperative and outpatient units;
  • District nurses; and
  • Procurement Officers and supply chain personnel.

About the medical devices

Needles and syringes

Needles and syringes are medical devices predominantly used to inject fluids (such as medicines) into or withdraw fluids from the body (such as blood). Syringes are also used for a variety of other purposes such as for flushing, irrigating and are also used with medical gases and air. These medical devices are used across a wide range of clinical settings.

Included in this proposal are conventional hypodermic needles, syringes, needles and syringes with safety feature, insulin syringes, lancets and a number of specialised needles and syringes used in anaesthesia procedures.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2017 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for needles and syringes.

The RFP was for non-exclusive national agreements for listing in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

PHARMAC has been working with suppliers to seek provisional agreements and this proposal is the latest to arise from this process. This is the final proposal eventuating from the 2017 Needles and Syringes RFP that we are consulting on.

Details about our proposal

PHARMAC has entered into a provisional Agreement with BD for a range of needles and syringes. Pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel.

The proposal would result in Pharmaceutical Schedule listings for 177 needle and syringe products.

Brand

• BD
• BD AutoShield Duo
• BD Eclipse
• BD Epilor
• BD Integra      
• BD Micro-Fine+
• BD Microtainer
• BD SafetyGlide
• BD Ultra-Fine
• BD Yale

To provide feedback

Send us an email: chloe.dimock@pharmac.govt.nz by 4 pm on Wednesday 1 May 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.