Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Downs Distributors Limited

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of obstetrics and gynaecology products and endomechanical and electrosurgical products in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule

What we’re proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of obstetrics and gynaecology products and endomechanical and electrosurgical products in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 September 2019 through a provisional agreement with Downs Distributors Limited (“Downs”).

Consultation closes at 4pm on Friday, 2 August 2019 and feedback can be emailed to grace.kingston@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 September 2019, Down’s range of obstetrics and gynaecology products and endomechanical and electrosurgical products would be listed under the proposed national agreement (“Agreement”) that all DHBs may purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate.

The Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of obstetrics and gynaecology products and endomechanical an electrosurgical products.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contract with the supplier for the devices listed in the Schedule 1 of the Agreement. Any device listed in a 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.

PHARMAC estimates that the Down’s Agreement will provide a cost saving of $4,700 for DHBs based on current usage of the obstetrics and gynaecology products, while the range of endomechanical and electrosurgical products will be a cost of $5,930 for DHBs based on current usage.

Who we think will be interested

  • All DHB clinical staff including but not limited to:
    • Obstetricians and gynaecologists
    • Clinical/Biomedical Engineers
    • Sterile services staff
    • Outpatient clinic staff
    • Surgeons
    • Theatre and perioperative staff
    • Surgical, speciality units, gynaecology and general ward staff
    • Delivery suite staff
    • Midwives
    • Procurement Officers
  • Suppliers and Wholesalers

About the medical devices

Obstetrics and Gynaecology Products

This category includes all equipment and consumables used in the obstetrics and gynaecology specialities. Products used in delivery suites and by midwives on the wards are included. Gynaecology is the specialty that treats conditions related to female reproductive organs. A small number of devices related to fertility and sterility may be listed as some limited assisted reproduction services are provided by a small number of DHB Hospitals. However most funded services are provided by private clinics are therefore out of scope for PHARMAC.


Endomechanical and Electrosurgical Medical Devices

Endomechanical and electrosurgical medical devices 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 medical devices 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.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2018 PHARMAC issued Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for: 

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

PHARMAC has been working with suppliers in order to seek provisional agreements and these are the latest proposals to arise from those processes. We intend to consult on further agreements with other suppliers in both categories over the next few months.

Details about our proposal

PHARMAC has entered into a provisional Agreement with Downs for the supply of 694 obstetrics and gynaecology products and 558 endomechanical and electrosurgical products in the following ranges:

  • DTR
  • Trewavis
  • Lina
  • Cooper
  • AS
  • R Wolf
  • Sutter
  • Surgical Holdings
  • S Murray
  • Mityvac
  • Mystic II

Pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: grace.kingston@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm on Friday 2 August 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.