Device Advice
PHARMAC's bi-monthly newsletter about the management of hospital medical devices.
Issue 40 - October 2020
In brief
Schedule includes over 126,000 devices
As of 1 October 2020, the Pharmaceutical Schedule includes over 126,000 contracted line items from over 90 suppliers. These contracts cover approximately $318 million of annual DHB hospital expenditure on medical devices.
All contracted products are listed in the Addendum for Medical Devices in Section H, Part III of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
New agreements with suppliers
The following agreements have been completed since 4 August 2020 (the previous issue of Device Advice).
We notify all new supplier agreements on our website in the section called Notifications.
Consultations
The following agreements have been completed since 4 August 2020 (the previous issue of Device Advice).
We list all new proposals on our website in the section called Consultations
Keep track with what’s happening in each category on our website.
Open requests for proposals (RFPs)
PHARMAC released a registration of interest (ROI) for the supply of medical devices, where NZ Health Partnerships has previously run an RFP, for consideration for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. The ROI covers the following categories:
- Beds and mattresses
- Electrophysiology
- Operating tables
- Peritoneal dialysis.
The ROI closes 5.00pm Tuesday 13 October 2020 (RFx ID 23286451).
PHARMAC released a request for proposals for the supply of anaesthetic machines, invasive ventilation devices, neonatal care devices and critical care patient monitoring. The RFP closes 4.00pm Friday 20 November 2020 (RFx ID 23322887).
Suppliers interested in participating or keeping up to date with these processes should register on the New Zealand Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) website and subscribe to the RFx using the reference numbers stated above.
Supply management
PHARMAC and suppliers are working to minimise any impacts of the general supply chain and manufacturing disruptions caused by COVID-19. We expect to see some challenges with supply and will continue to manage this as appropriate. If you are experiencing any issues with the supply of PHARMAC contracted medical devices, please contact us at contractmanagement@pharmac.govt.nz.
Progressing our work
The next stage in our work in hospital medical devices would involve PHARMAC managing a national list of medical devices, DHBs choosing the products they need from this list, and a process being in place to consider accessing items outside the list. It would also mean some changes to the way suppliers interact with DHBs and PHARMAC.
We know this will be a significant change and we’ll need a lot of input from key people across the sector to ensure the operational arrangements are fit-for-purpose and PHARMAC, DHBs, suppliers and others are prepared for the change.
Building on the feedback we received on our consultation “Managing fairer access to medical devices”, we are now in the process of identifying the groups we need to work more closely with in 2021 as we develop the operational detail.
The groups we’ll be engaging with in more detail will include DHB staff, representatives from professional organisations including colleges and societies, suppliers and their representative associations who have interests in PHARMAC’s medical devices work.
We’ll also be engaging with groups that represent important perspectives - including Maori, Pacific, consumer and disability.
We had been anticipating getting people together in person for more detailed workshop conversations. However, to minimise possible disruptions from Covid-related restrictions, we’re also exploring how we could use online engagement tools to support us with this. We will provide an update later this year with further information on our engagement approach.
Annual Procurement Plan
Our Annual Procurement Plan (APP) includes a list of expected procurements for the next 12 months. Please note that the current version was prepared before COVID-19, and therefore is subject to change.
New website 20 October 2020
PHARMAC is planning to launch our new website on Tuesday 20 October. We are doing essential maintenance to upgrade the website platform as well as making improvements to the functionality and content. You can read about it here
The new website has the same address (pharmac.govt.nz) and has an improved design and layout to make it easier to navigate. The search function has also been improved and we have started to rewrite content to make it more focused on the needs of our audiences.
On 20 October you may need to change your bookmarks because some webpages will have a different address. Use search or navigate from the home page if you can’t find what you are looking for. If that doesn’t work or you have feedback on the new site please contact us via enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz.
The Pharmaceutical Schedule has a new address (schedule.pharmac.govt.nz). The old address will automatically redirect to the new one but we recommend updating your bookmarks for the Schedule.
Contact us
Feedback on our work, our website, or this newsletter is welcome via:
Subscribe to our Device Advice newsletter to keep up to date with developments relating to the management of hospital medical devices.
|
|
|
|
