Proposal to list respiratory care products supplied by MedXus Limited

What we’re proposing

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of respiratory equipment and consumable devices (“respiratory care products”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 April 2019, through a provisional agreement with MedXus Limited ("MedXus).

Consultation closes at 4pm on Thursday, 28 February 2019 and feedback can be emailed to jacquie.pillay@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 April 2019, the MedXus range of Respiratory Care 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”).

This Agreement would not be for sole supply, with DHBs continuing to be able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of Respiratory Care Products.

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

Based on current usage, PHARMAC estimates that the MedXus proposal would offer annual national savings of approximately $9,000 to DHBs.

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

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.

Some of the products proposed for listing are new to New Zealand DHBs and the Agreement would provide an increased range of Respiratory Care Products from which clinicians could choose.

Who we think will be interested

• Suppliers and Wholesalers
• DHB staff including clinical, technical and procurement
  • Clinical Engineers
  • Anaesthetists and Anaesthetic Technicians
  • Clinical staff involved with airway management and emergency respiratory resuscitation
  • Respiratory Clinicians
  • Respiratory therapists
  • Pulmonary function specialists
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation specialists
  • Clinical staff working in surgical and medical units, emergency departments, intensive and critical care units, and outpatient units
  • District nurses
  • Procurement and supply chain personnel

About respiratory care products

Respiratory care is a health specialty involving the diagnosis, assessment, treatment and management of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system.

The respiratory care category includes oxygen delivery consumables and accessories, aerosol delivery devices and associated consumables, non-powered humidifiers (passive and bubble) and associated tubing and consumables, laryngectomy and tracheostomy consumables, spirometers and respiratory muscle trainers and associated consumables, breathing filters, powered and non-powered respiratory suction devices and associated consumables, ventilator circuits and associated consumables and flow meters.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2017 PHARMAC issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for Respiratory Care Products. The RFP was for non-exclusive national agreements for listing in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

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

Details about our proposal

PHARMAC has entered into a provisional Agreement with MedXus for a range of respiratory care products.

Pricing has been made available to appropriate DHB personnel.

This proposal would result in Pharmaceutical Schedule listings for 18 Aerogen brand Respiratory Care products from MedXus.

To provide feedback

Send us an email:  jacquie.pillay@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm on Thursday, 28 February 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.