Proposal to list orthopaedic implants and associated products supplied by NuVasive (Aust/NZ) Pty Ltd

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

What we’re proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of orthopaedic implants and associated products (“Orthopaedic Products”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2019, through a provisional agreement with NuVasive (Aust/NZ) Pty Ltd (“NuVasive”).

Consultation closes at 4pm on Tuesday 11 December 2018 and feedback can be emailed to procurement@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

This proposed agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with NuVasive for the devices proposed for listing from 1 February 2019, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate (“Agreement”).

The Agreement would provide consistent terms and conditions for these devices for all DHB purchases from the proposed date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

PHARMAC estimates some DHBs would incur a minimal cost increase under the proposed Agreement, based on current usage, but that pricing for the Orthopaedic Products in the Agreement, subject to any prior termination of the Agreement, would not be increased without prior consultation and approval by PHARMAC.

DHBs would be able to continue to procure other suppliers’ ranges of Orthopaedic Products, as the Agreement would not be for sole supply.

DHBs would have access to educational services which would be tailored to suit the needs of the individual DHB Hospitals.

Who we think will be interested

  • Suppliers
  • DHB Staff:
    • Orthopaedic Surgeons
    • Theatre and Sterile Services personnel
    • Other perioperative personnel
    • Procurement and supply chain personnel

About orthopaedic implants and associated products

The Orthopaedic Products under this Agreement are used to treat bone related injury or disease through surgical intervention.

The associated products relate to the instruments or products required for preparation and/or adherence at the implant site, or physical manipulation of the implants required when undertaking the surgery.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2016 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for orthopaedic implants and associated products.

This RFP was for non-exclusive national agreements for listing in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

PHARMAC has been working with suppliers who responded to the RFP to seek provisional agreements and this proposal is the 17th to arise from this process. We expect to consult on further proposed agreements in this category over the coming months.

Details about our proposal

PHARMAC has entered into a provisional Agreement with NuVasive for the supply of a range of Orthopaedic Products that would result in listing 4042 products on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2018 for following ranges of its branded products:

  • Affix
  • Archon
  • Armada
  • Attrax
  • BASE
  • Brigade
  • CoRoent
  • Decade
  • Helix
  • Leverage
  • MAGEC Rod
  • MAS PLIF
  • MaXcess
  • Mesh
  • Modulus
  • Monolith
  • NVM5
  • Oblique TLIF
  • Osteocel
  • Phantom 1600
  • Precept
  • Propel
  • Radian
  • Reline
  • SpheRx
  • Traverse
  • Triad
  • VuePoint
  • X-Core
  • X-Core 2
  • XLP Plus
  • XLTDR

A full list of the products has not been included in this consultation for brevity, however we are making it available, along with pricing information, to appropriate DHB personnel.

DHBs would be able to continue to choose which Orthopaedic Products it purchases.

The Agreement includes terms for training and education services to be provided by NuVasive to DHB personnel on appropriate use of its medical devices, which is to be provided at times and as agreed with individual DHBs.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: procurement@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm on Tuesday, 11 December 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.