Proposal to list non-surgical antimicrobial hand hygiene products
What we’re proposing
PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of non-surgical antimicrobial hand hygiene (“Hand Hygiene”) products in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 July 2018, through provisional agreements with 3M New Zealand Limited (“3M”) and Schülke New Zealand Limited (“Schülke”).
Consultation closes at 4pm on Friday, 25 May 2018 and feedback can be emailed to alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
For DHBs
From 1 July 2018, 3M and Schülke’s Hand Hygiene products would be listed under the proposed national agreements for all DHBs to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate.
These agreements would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of Hand Hygiene products.
The agreements would supersede any existing DHB contracts with 3M and Schülke for the products included in the agreements. Any product listed in the agreements and purchased by a DHB Hospital would be at the price, terms and conditions stated in the agreements, effective from the date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
PHARMAC estimates that the 3M agreement would result in a national cost increase of $23,000 per annum, based on current usage. The Schülke agreement would offer estimated national savings to DHBs of $190,000 per annum, based on current usage.
As part of the agreements 3M and Schülke 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 Hand Hygiene products, subject to any prior termination of the agreements, would not be increased without prior consultation and approval by PHARMAC.
Who we think will be interested
- Suppliers and Wholesalers
- DHB staff:
- Clinicians
- Procurement and supply chain personnel
- Infection control personnel
About hand hygiene products
Hand hygiene is a general term applying to routine and antiseptic hand washing in hospitals, by the use of antiseptic hand rubs (alcohol-based and alcohol-free). Hand Hygiene products are used by healthcare workers, patients and visitors in hospitals to reduce the transmission of bacteria that can cause infection.
Why we’re proposing this
In October 2017 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for Hand Hygiene products. The RFP was for non-exclusive national agreements for listing in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
A mandatory requirement was that the Hand Hygiene products hold, or are significantly through the process of obtaining, Medsafe consent to be distributed as a medicine in New Zealand. 3M and Schülke were the only suppliers who met this requirement and these are the only provisional agreements to result from this RFP. DHBs can purchase other suppliers’ brands of Hand Hygiene products, but may wish to consider the status of regulatory consents.
Details about our proposal
PHARMAC has entered into provisional agreements with 3M and Schülke for Hand Hygiene products. Pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel.
The proposal would result in Schedule listings for 32 Hand Hygiene products. Brand ranges in the agreements include:
3M
- Avagard
- Avagard brackets and dispensers
Schülke
- Microshield Angel Blue and Angel Clear
- Microshield brackets and dispensers
To provide feedback
Send us an email: alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm, Friday 25 May 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.