DHBs are expected to start making further savings in cardiac medical devices, after PHARMAC extended the range of products it already has under national contracts by beginning listing those used in cardiac procedures.

The 303 items now listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule are the first in what is expected to be a large number of interventional cardiology medical devices available at national prices.

The agreement with Bio-Excel includes equipment such as stents and balloons and offers DHBs initial savings of about $150,000 from current national expenditure of about $1.2 million.

Following discussions with the Cardiac Society and a Registration of Interest process earlier this year, PHARMAC sought proposals from suppliers, and this is the first agreement reached with a supplier in the interventional cardiology category.     

Director of Operations, Sarah Fitt, says PHARMAC’s contracting in the medical device area is increasing quickly and highlights its drive to create value for DHBs.

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/media-2014-11-03-medical-devices/