Proposal to list medical devices supplied by REM SYSTEMS Limited
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 December 2018, through a provisional agreement with REM SYSTEMS Limited.
Product ranges to include:
- needles and syringes; and
- respiratory equipment and consumables ("respiratory care products").
Consultation closes at 4pm on Thursday, 25 October 2018 and feedback can be emailed to jacquie.pillay@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
From 1 December 2018, REM’s range of needles and syringes and respiratory care products would be listed under the proposed national agreement for all DHBs to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate (“Agreement”).
This Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of needles and syringes and respiratory care products. The Agreement includes products that are new to DHB Hospitals and would provide a greater range of products for clinical staff to choose from.
The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with REM for the devices included in the Agreement. Any medical device listed in the Agreement and purchased by a DHB Hospital would be at the price, terms and conditions stated in the Agreement, effective from the date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
PHARMAC estimates the Agreement would provide small savings to DHBs based on current usage levels.
As part of the Agreement, REM would provide educational services that would be tailored to the individual needs of DHB Hospitals, in formats and at times as required by DHB Hospitals.
Pricing for the 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
- All DHB clinical staff including but not limited to:
- Anaesthetists and Anaesthetic Technicians
- Clinical staff involved with airway management and emergency respiratory resuscitation
- Respiratory clinicians
- Respiratory therapists
- Pulmonary function specialists
- Pulmonary rehabilitation specialists
- Clinical staff working in surgical and medical units, emergency departments, intensive and critical care units, and outpatient units
- District nurses
- Procurement Officers
About the medical devices
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 are also used for a variety of other purposes such as for flushing and irrigating purposes. These medical devices are used across a range of clinical settings.
Respiratory Care Products
Respiratory care is a health specialty involving the diagnosis, assessment, treatment and management of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system.
The Respiratory Care Category includes oxygen delivery consumables and accessories, aerosol delivery devices and associated consumables, non-powered humidifiers (passive and bubble) and associated tubing and consumables, laryngectomy and tracheostomy consumables, spirometers and respiratory muscle trainers and associated consumables, breathing filters, powered and non-powered respiratory suction devices and associated consumables, ventilator circuits and associated consumables and flow meters.
Why we’re proposing this
In 2017 PHARMAC issued Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”) for:
The RFPs were for non-exclusive national agreements for listing in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
PHARMAC has been working with suppliers to seek provisional agreements and this proposal is the latest to arise from these processes. We expect to consult on further proposed agreements in each of these categories over the coming months.
Details about our proposal
PHARMAC has entered into a provisional Agreement with REM for a range of needles and syringes and respiratory care products. Pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel.
The proposal would result in Pharmaceutical Schedule listings for 11 needles and syringes and 42 respiratory care products.
Brand ranges in the Agreement include:
Needles and syringes
- Codan
- Codan Steritex
Respiratory care products
- Medline
- Trident
To provide feedback
Send us an email: jacquie.pillay@pharmac.govt.nz by 25 October 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.