Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Stryker New Zealand Limited

What we’re proposing

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

• surgical suction, chest and wound drainage; and
• endomechanical and electrosurgical.

Consultation closes at 4pm Thursday 2 July 2020 and feedback can be emailed to terry.odonnell@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 August 2020, Stryker’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 devices and endomechanical and electrosurgical devices.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Stryker 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, Stryker 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
  • Central sterile services personnel
  • Surgical and general ward staff
  • 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.

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 request for proposals (RFPs) for:

• supply of endomechanical instruments, electrosurgical instruments, energy platforms and consumables;
• supply of surgical suction, chest and wound drainage 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 172 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 Thursday 2 July 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.