Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Obex Medical Limited

What we’re proposing

We propose to list medical devices supplied by Obex in the following categories:

• surgical suction, chest and wound drainage; and
• obstetrics and gynaecology.

Consultation closes at 4pm Tuesday 4 August 2020 and feedback can be emailed to terry.odonnell@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 September 2020, Obex’s range of medical devices in the categories listed above would be listed under a proposed national agreement for all DHB hospitals to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate (the “Agreement”).

The Agreement would not be for sole supply. DHBs would be able to continue to purchase other suppliers’ brands of surgical suction, chest and wound drainage medical devices, and obstetrics and gynaecology medical devices.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Obex for the medical devices included in the Agreement. Any medical devices listed in the Agreement, and purchased by a DHB, would be at the terms and conditions, including price, stated in the Agreement, effective from the date of the listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

As part of the Agreement Obex would provide appropriate training and education services, that would be tailored to the individual needs of the DHBs, in formats and at times as required by the DHBs.

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

• Suppliers and Wholesalers
• DHB staff:
  
  • Clinical/Biomedical Engineers
  • Surgeons
  • Perioperative staff
  • Theatre staff
  • Surgical, gynaecology and general ward staff
  • Central sterile services personnel
  • Delivery suite staff
  • Midwives
  • Obstetricians and gynaecologists
  • Procurement and supply chain personnel

About the medical devices

Surgical suction, chest and wound drainage

Surgical interventions of any kind result in tissue damage and blood and other fluid loss. To manage this during the procedure itself, suction equipment is used to remove tissue particles and fluid to ensure the operating field is kept clean and clear.

A drain is described as any material or equipment used to carry fluid or air from inside the body to the surface. Drains can be used with or without previous surgical intervention e.g. chest drains inserted at the bedside or placed in theatre during surgery. Drains can be classified as either open or closed systems.

Irrigation systems can be used to provide a steady flow of a solution across an open wound to provide wound hydration, to remove deep debris and to assist visualisation. It can be applied using a variety of techniques and 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. 

Why we’re proposing this

In 2018 PHARMAC issued request for proposals (RFPs) for:

• supply of surgical suction, chest and wound drainage products; and
• supply of obstetrics and gynaecology products.

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 this is the latest proposal to arise from those processes. We intend to consult on further provisional agreements with other suppliers in each of the categories over the coming months.

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in listing 422 medical devices of the following brands, and number of items in each category, being listed: 

A full product list with pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel. 

To provide feedback

Send us an email: terry.odonnell@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm Tuesday 4 August 2020.

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.