Request for information on the supply of adrenaline auto-injectors

Medicines RFP Closed

PHARMAC is interested in receiving information from suppliers and wholesalers who are interested in pursuing a listing agreement with PHARMAC for the supply of adrenaline auto-injectors in the community and DHB hospitals.

Please note that responses to this request for information (RFI) will not result in a listing agreement with PHARMAC, but will instead inform and assist PHARMAC in deciding whether it is possible to proceed to a listing agreement through a request for proposal (RFP) or other competitive process.

1. Background

1.1 Current funding situation and PTAC advice

Adrenaline ampoules are currently listed and fully funded for supply in the community and DHB hospitals without any restrictions.

PHARMAC does not however currently fund or list adrenaline in an auto-injector delivery device on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

PHARMAC has received a number of funding applications for adrenaline auto-injectors for the treatment of anaphylaxis caused by allergies to venom, food or any other antigens(external link) which have been reviewed by the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC). The most recent funding application was considered during the May 2014 PTAC meeting.

At its May 2014 meeting, PTAC recommended funding one adrenaline auto-injector over a 12 month period for patients who have previously experienced an anaphylactic reaction to venom or food with a medium priority.  It was recommended that funding should be subject to patients being fully trained in the use of an auto-injector and having an anaphylaxis action plan.

Full minutes of PTAC’s advice [PDF, 286 KB] can be found at PHARMAC’s website.

1.2 Purpose

The purpose of this RFI is for PHARMAC to obtain further information on the level of interest from suppliers in the adrenaline auto-injector market, the different types of adrenaline auto-injectors currently available and indicative pricing based upon the recommended access criteria.

Depending on the level of interest from suppliers and the pricing indications that PHARMAC receives, and depending on the available funding, PHARMAC may decide to issue an RFP or a different competitive process for the supply of adrenaline auto-injectors in the community and for DHB hospitals.

2. Request for information

PHARMAC is asking interested suppliers to submit responses to the questions listed in Appendix One.

If you wish to submit a response, you must submit it to PHARMAC by email no later than 5.00 pm on 1 December 2014.  Submissions and any questions you might have can be sent to Christine Chapman, Therapeutic Group Manager (christine.chapman@pharmac.govt.nz).

3. Information requested under the Official Information Act

We are not able to treat any part of your feedback as confidential unless you specifically request that we do. 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 withheld.

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.

4. Process going forward

At this stage, PHARMAC expects to do the following:

(a)       Release of request for information on 10 November 2014;

(b)       Feedback due by Monday, 1 December 2014;

(c)       Evaluation of feedback in December 2014;

(d)       Further discussion with submitter(s), if necessary, in December 2014/ January 2015;

Please note that the above timeframes are approximate only and may be extended if the process takes longer than anticipated.

We look forward to receiving your feedback.