Proposal to list medical devices supplied by EBOS Group Limited and Ainscorp Pty Ltd

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of medical devices in the urinary, ostomy and continence category.

What we’re proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of medical devices in the urinary, ostomy and continence category:

  • To list a range of urology and continence products in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 June 2019, through a listing agreement with EBOS Group Limited (“EBOS”); and
  • to list a range of ostomy products in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 June 2019, through a listing agreement with Ainscorp Pty Ltd (“Ainscorp”).

Consultation closes at 4pm on Wednesday, 17 April 2019 and feedback can be emailed to denise.mundy@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 June 2019, EBOS’ range of continence and urology products, and Ainscorp’s range of ostomy products would be listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule under national agreements for all DHBs to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate (“Agreements”).

The Agreements would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of urology, ostomy and continence products.

The Agreements would supersede any existing DHB contracts with EBOS and Ainscorp for the urology, ostomy and continence products included in the Agreements.  Any urology, ostomy or continence products listed in the Agreements and purchased by the DHB, would be at the price, and the terms and conditions stated in the Agreements, effective from the date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

As part of the Agreements, EBOS and Ainscorp would provide training and education that would be tailored to the needs of the individual DHBs.

Who we think will be interested

  • Suppliers and Wholesalers
  • DHB Staff
    • clinical staff in a range of inpatient, outpatient and community settings where urology, ostomy and continence products are used or distributed
    • procurement and supply chain personnel

About the proposed products

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

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

Ostomy products include one and two-piece pouching systems to manage stoma drainage, for example colostomy or urostomy drainage, as well as a range of skin protection products.

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 May 2018 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the supply of urology, ostomy and continence products.

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

PHARMAC is working with a range of suppliers to seek provisional agreements and this proposal is the latest to arise from that process.  We expect to consult on further proposed agreements in the urology, ostomy and continence categories over the coming months.

Details about our proposal

PHARMAC has entered into provisional agreements with EBOS and Ainscorp for a range of urology, ostomy and continence products.  Pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel.

This proposal would result in listing 138 continence and urology products supplied by EBOS, and 249 ostomy products supplied by Ainscorp, on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

The brand ranges included in the EBOS Agreement are:

Continence (100 products):

  • Askina
  • Attends
  • Coldex
  • Halyard

Urology (38 products):

  • Greatcare
  • OptiLube
  • Ugo Urology

The brand ranges included in the Ainscorp Agreement are:

Ostomy (249 products):

  • Confidence Comfort
  • Confidence Convex Supersoft
  • Confidence Gold Oval
  • Confidence Natural
  • Confidence Natural Advance
  • Confidence Natural Soft Convex
  • Confidence Wound and Fistula
  • Harmony Duo
  • Salts

To provide feedback

Send us an email: denise.mundy@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm on Wednesday, 17 April 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.