Source: Pharmac
What we’re proposing
PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list rehabilitation equipment, patient positioning products and supports (“Rehabilitation Products”) supplied by Medix 21 (“Medix 21”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 September 2020.
Consultation closes 4pm Thursday 23 July 2020 and feedback can be emailed to grace.vandyk@pharmac.govt.nz.
What would the effect be?
From 1 September 2020 rehabilitation products, supplied by Medix 21, would be listed under proposed national agreement for all DHB hospitals to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by PHARMAC’s Board or delegate (“Agreements”).
The Agreement would not be for sole supply and DHBs could continue to purchase other suppliers’ brands of rehabilitation products.
The Agreement would supersede any existing DHB contracts with Medix 21 for the products included in the Agreement. Any product listed in the Agreement and purchased by a DHB would be in accordance with the terms and conditions, including price, stated in the Agreements effective from the date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
As part of the Agreement Medix 21 would provide appropriate educational services that would be tailored to the individual needs of DHBs, in formats and at times as required by DHBs.
Pricing for the products in the Agreement, subject to any prior termination of the Agreements, would not be increased without prior consultation and approval by PHARMAC.
Who we think will be interested
- Suppliers and wholesalers
- DHB staff
- Clinical engineers and maintenance services
- DHB procurement and supply chain
- Geriatricians
- Neurologists and Neurosurgeons
- Nurses
- Occupational therapists
- Orthopaedic surgeons
- Orthotists
- Paediatricians
- Physiotherapists
- Podiatrists
- Rehabilitation physicians (including spinal units)
- Speech-language therapists
About rehabilitation products
Rehabilitation is the process of regaining strength or relearning skills after a serious injury, illness or surgery. Rehabilitation crosses all age groups, though the type, level and goals of rehabilitation will differ depending on the individual needs. Rehabilitation often focuses on:
- physical therapy to help with strength, mobility and fitness;
- occupational therapy to help with daily activities;
- speech-language therapy to help with speaking, understanding, reading, writing and swallowing;
- cognitive therapy (following head injury); and
- treatment of pain.
Why we’re proposing this
The RFP was for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
PHARMAC has been working with supplies who responded to the RFP, and whose proposals were progressed to contract negotiation, to seek provisional agreements. This proposal is the latest to arise from this process and we expect to consult on further provisional agreements with suppliers of rehabilitation products throughout 2020.
Details about our proposal
The proposal would result in listing 368 line items in the Pharmaceutical Schedule covering the Pullman, MedSurg, Slimline, Handicare/System RoMedic and Hipsaver ranges of rehabilitation products.
Further information, including pricing and contractual details, has been provided to DHB Procurement personnel. Clinicians interested in further detail on what this change means for their DHB should engage with their Procurement teams.
To provide feedback
Send us an email: grace.vandyk@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm Thursday 23 July 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.
Last updated: 2 July 2020
