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 April 2020, through a listing agreement with Surgical Innovations Limited ('Surgical Innovations').

Consultation closes at 4pm on Tuesday, 25 February 2020 and feedback can be emailed to maree.hodgson@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be

From 1 April 2020, Surgical Innovations' range of orthopaedic products would be listed under a 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 orthopaedic products.

The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Surgical Innovations for the medical devices included in the Agreement. Any orthopaedic products 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 on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

As part of the Agreement, Surgical Innovations would provide educational services that would be tailored to the individual needs of DHBs.

Who we think will be interested

Suppliers and wholesalers

DHB Staff: Orthopaedic Surgeons

Sterile Services personnel

Perioperative personnel

Procurement and supply chain personnel

About orthopaedic 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 is the final agreement PHARMAC intend to enter into in this category as a result of that RFP process.

Details about our proposal

PHARMAC has entered into a provisional Agreement with Surgical Innovations for the supply of orthopaedic products, this proposal would result in listing 1,466 orthopaedic products, across a range of orthopaedic implant sub-categories including an extensive range of allograft products, included in the agreement, on the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 April 2020.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: maree.hodgson@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm on Tuesday, 25 February 2020.

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.

Contact:

Tel: 021 863 342

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