Proposal to list orthopaedic implant products

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

What we are proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of orthopaedic implants and associated products in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2018, supplied by Ortho Medics Limited (“Ortho Medics”).

The consultation closes at 12 noon on Friday, 22 December 2017 and feedback can be emailed to maree.hodgson@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

For DHBs

From 1 February 2018, Ortho Medics’ range of orthopaedic implants and associated products would be listed under a proposed national agreement (“Agreement”) that all DHB Hospitals may purchase under. This listing would be conditional on the approval of PHARMAC’s Board or its delegate. This Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of orthopaedic implants and associated products.

This Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Ortho Medics for the devices listed in Schedule 1 of the Agreement.  Any device listed in a PHARMAC 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.

The proposal would offer savings to DHB Hospitals.

As a part of the Agreement, Ortho Medics 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 orthopaedic products, subject to approval by PHARMAC or prior termination of the Agreement, would not be increased until 1 February 2021.

Who we think will be interested

  • Suppliers and Wholesalers
  • DHB Staff
    • Theatre Staff
    • Orthopaedic clinicians
    • Procurement Officers

About orthopaedic implants

Orthopaedic implants are used to either temporarily support the bone healing process, permanently replace structures or, through osseointegration, become an integral part of the bone. 

Why we’re proposing this

In April 2016, PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for orthopaedic implant products. The RFP was for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

PHARMAC has been working with a range of suppliers to seek provisional agreements and this is the latest proposal to arise from that process. Further consultations are expected in this category over the next few months.

Details about our proposal

  • PHARMAC has entered into a provisional Agreement with Ortho Medics for a range of orthopaedic implants and associated products. The full product range and pricing in the proposal has not been included in this consultation for brevity, however, we are making it available to Procurement Departments at DHBs and can make the full product range available to other parties on request.

    The Agreement includes products from the following manufacturers:

    • Acumed LLC
    • Swemac Innovation AB
    • Acute InnovationsLLC
    • KLS Martin GmbH & Co. KG

    and brands include:

    • Acumed Ranges
    • Acu-Loc Ranges
    • Acutrak Ranges
    • Motec
    • RibLoc
    • MaxDrive
    • Sonic Weld Rx

To provide feedback

Send us an email: maree.hodgson@pharmac.govt.nz by 12 noon Friday 22 December 2017.

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.