Proposal to list patient warming and cooling products supplied by Bard Australia PTY. Limited

What we’re proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of patient warming and cooling products in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 June 2019, through a non-exclusive provisional agreement with Bard Australia PTY. Limited (“Bard”).

Consultation closes at 4pm on Thursday 2 May 2019 and feedback can be emailed to alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 June 2019 Bard’s range of patient warming and cooling 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”).

The Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of patient warming and cooling products.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Bard for the devices included in the Agreement. Any medical device listed in the Agreement and purchased by a DHB would be under the terms and conditions, including price, stated in the Agreement, effective from the date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

As part of the Agreement Bard would provide educational services that would be tailored to the individual needs of that DHB, in formats and at times as required by the DHB.

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
• clinical and technical staff, including but not limited to:
  • Anaesthetists and Anaesthetic Technicians
  • Clinical Engineers
  • ICU clinicians
  • DHB procurement and warehousing personnel

About patient warming and cooling products

Patient warming and cooling products are used to assist regulating a patient’s core body temperature when a patient is unable to self-regulate their body temperature. Patient warming and cooling products are commonly used in surgical and intensive care clinical settings.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2018 PHARMAC issued Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”) for patient warming and cooling products. These RFPs were for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

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

Details about our proposal

The proposal would result in listing eight patient warming and cooling products from the Artic Sun range on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. 

Pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm on Thursday 2 May 2019.

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.