Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Device Technologies

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

What we’re proposing

Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of medical devices supplied by Device Technologies New Zealand Limited (“Device Technologies”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 November 2024 in the following categories:

Consultation closes at 4pm, Thursday 5 September 2024 and feedback can be emailed to taylor.wilson@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 November 2024, Device Technologies’ 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 (“Agreement”).

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 this supplier 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, Device Technologies 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 3055 medical devices being listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule covering the following brands:

Category

Number of devices

Brand

Surgical Implants

923

AJL, ALOS, BroadBand, Eagle Vision, EZPass, Genie, JointRep, JuggerKnot, Juggerloc, JuggerStitch, LARS, LENTIS COMFORT, LENTIS COMFORT, LENTIS MPLUS, LENTIS TPLUS, Medicel, Neo Advance, NOVABONE PUTTY, OCULFIT , Quattro, REMPLIR, SwitchCut, Teleon, ToggleLoc, Zimmer Biomet, ZipTight

Medical and Surgical Instruments and Power Tools

2132

AJL, Bolton, Dermatome, Innomed, Katana Cutter, Katena, Matrix Surgical, Medicel, MEYCO, Oertli Instruments, OLIE, PST, Purple Surgical, Sharpoint, Snowden-Pencer, Sony, Speedsnare, SwitchCut, V.Mueller, Vitalitec International Gmbh, Zimmer Biomet

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

To provide feedback

Send us an email: taylor.wilson@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm, Thursday 5 September 2024.

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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