Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Olympus New Zealand Limited

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

• obstetrics and gynaecology; and
• endomechanical and electrosurgical.

Consultation closes at 4pm Wednesday 23 September 2020 and feedback can be emailed to terry.odonnell@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 November 2020, Olympus’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 obstetrics and gynaecology medical devices, and endomechanical and electrosurgical medical devices. 

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Olympus 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, Olympus 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 would be fixed for the first 2 years then, 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

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 products

Endomechanical and electrosurgical products 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 products 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 requests for proposals (RFPs) for:

• supply of obstetrics and gynaecology products; and
• supply of endomechanical instruments, electrosurgical instruments, energy platforms and consumable 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 these processes. We intend to consult on further provisional agreements with other suppliers in each of these categories over the coming months.

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in listing 114 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 Wednesday 23 September 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.