Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Paragon Care Group New Zealand Limited

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

• continence products;
• rehabilitation equipment, patient positioning products and supports (“Rehabilitation Products”);
• surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs; and
• urology products.

Consultation closes 4pm Thursday 2 April 2020 and feedback can be emailed to alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 May 2020 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 (“Agreement”).

The Agreement would not be for sole supply; DHBs would be able to continue to purchase other suppliers’ brands of continence products, Rehabilitation Products, surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs and urology products.

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

Paragon would provide appropriate training and education services that would be tailored to the individual needs of DHBs, in formats and at times as required by 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
  • Central sterile services personnel
  • Clinical engineers and maintenance services
  • Clinical staff in a range of inpatient, outpatient and community settings where urology, and continence products are used
  • DHB procurement and supply chain
  • Geriatricians
  • Infection control personnel
  • Neurologists and Neurosurgeons
  • Nurses
  • Occupational therapists
  • Orthopaedic surgeons
  • Orthotists
  • Paediatricians
  • Perioperative staff
  • Physiotherapists
  • Podiatrists
  • Rehabilitation physicians (including spinal units)
  • Speech-language therapists

About the medical devices

Continence

Continence products are used in hospital and community setting, from short to long-term use. 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.

Rehabilitation products

Rehabilitation is the process of regaining strength or relearning skills after a serious injury, illness or surgery. Rehabilitation crosses all age groups, though the type, level and goals of rehabilitation will differ depending on the individual needs. Rehabilitation often focuses on:

• physical therapy to help with strength, mobility and fitness;
• occupational therapy to help with daily activities;
• speech-language therapy to help with speaking, understanding, reading, writing and swallowing;
• cognitive therapy (following head injury); and
• treatment of pain.

Surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs

Single use sterile surgical drapes are used during surgery to reduce the risk of infection of the surgical site by isolating and protecting the surgical site from exposure to microorganisms that may be present in the patient’s own microbial flora, the operating theatre environment, or on members of the surgical team.

Single use sterile surgical gowns are personal protective garments intended to be worn over the scrub suit of the operating team during surgical procedures.

Procedure packs are customisable sterile packs to include all the single-use products that surgical teams need for specific procedures. They are designed to reduce waste, reduce procedural set-up time and improved clinical patient outcomes.

Urology

Urology products are used in hospital and community setting, from short to long-term use. Urology products include urethral, suprapubic and sheath catheters, bags and accessories for the management of urinary drainage.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2018 PHARMAC issued Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”) for:

• urology, ostomy and continence products
• rehabilitation products
• single use sterile surgical drapes, gowns and procedure packs

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

PHARMAC has been working with suppliers who responded to the RFPs to seek provisional agreements and this proposal is the latest to arise from those processes. We expect to consult on further agreements with suppliers in the coming months.

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in 526 medical devices of the following brands, and number of items in each category, being listed:

To provide feedback

Send us an email: alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm Thursday 2 April 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