Proposal to list medical devices supplied by EBOS Group Limited and Talgram Health (NZ) Ltd
What we’re proposing
PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of medical devices in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 October 2018 through provisional agreements with EBOS Group Limited and Talgram Health (NZ) Ltd.
EBOS Group Limited (“EBOS”)
- Medical thermometers
- Single use instruments
Talgram Health (NZ) Ltd (“Talgram”)
- Needles and syringes
Consultation closes at 4pm on Friday, 17 August 2018 and feedback can be emailed to alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
From 1 October EBOS’ range of medical thermometers and single use instruments, and Talgram’s needles and syringes device would be listed under the proposed national agreement for all DHB Hospitals 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 medical thermometers, single use instruments and needles and syringes.
The Agreements would supersede any existing DHB contracts with EBOS and Talgram for the devices included in the Agreements. Any device listed in the Agreements and purchased by a DHB would be at the price, terms and conditions stated in the Agreement, effective from the date of listing in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
PHARMAC estimates that the Talgram agreement would offer national savings to DHBs of $6,000, based on current usage. The EBOS proposal is essentially cost neutral.
As part of the Agreements EBOS and Talgram would provide appropriate educational services that would be tailored to the individual needs of DHBs, in formats and at times as required by DHBs.
Pricing for the devices in the Agreements, subject to any prior termination of the Agreements, would not be increased without prior consultation and approval by PHARMAC.
Who we think will be interested
- DHB Staff
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- Clinical Engineers
- Clinical staff working in surgical and medical units, emergency departments, intensive and critical care units, and outpatient units
- District nurses
- Procurement Officers
- Suppliers and Wholesalers
About the medical devices
Medical thermometers
Medical thermometers are used to measure a patient’s body temperature. The ability to detect or monitor fever or hypothermia is vital for patient assessment, to guide treatment options and management. The accurate measurement of temperature is important and medical thermometer products come in a range of presentations for different clinical requirements.
Single use instruments
Single use instruments are designed to be used once and then disposed of or destroyed – these are also known as disposable instruments. Some single use instruments may be used in many hospital settings such as operating theatres, emergency departments, wards and clinics.
Needles and syringes
Needles and syringes are medical devices used to inject fluids (such as medicines) into or withdraw fluids from the body (such as blood). Syringes may also be used for flushing and irrigating purposes. These medical devices are used across a range of clinical settings.
Why we’re proposing this
In 2016 and 2017 PHARMAC issued Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”) for Medical Thermometers, Single Use Instruments and Needles and Syringes. These RFPs were for non-exclusive national agreements for listing in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
PHARMAC has been working with suppliers who responded to the RFPs to seek provisional agreements and these proposals are the latest to arise from these processes.
The EBOS Agreement would be the final agreement for the medical thermometer category and the Talgram Agreement would be the first agreement for the needles and syringes category. We expect to consult on further proposed agreements with suppliers of single use instruments and needles and syringes over the next few months.
Details about our proposal
PHARMAC has entered into individual provisional agreements with EBOS for a range of medical thermometers and single use instruments and Talgram’s for its needle and syringe device.
Pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel.
This proposal would result in Pharmaceutical Schedule listings for 53 products from EBOS and 1 product or Talgram. Brand ranges in the Agreements include:
Medical thermometers
EBOS
- Welch Allyn
Single use instruments
EBOS
- Swann-Morton
- Welch Allyn
Needles and syringes
Talgram
- Accu-Chek Safe T Pro Plus
To provide feedback
Send us an email: alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz by 17 August 2018.
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.