Decision to approve agreement for medical devices supplied by Smith & Nephew
What we’re doing
We're pleased to announce the approval of a listing agreement with Smith & Nephew Limited (“Smith & Nephew”) for the supply of medical devices to Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (“Health NZ”) hospitals in these categories:
medical and surgical instruments and power tools
In summary, this will result in:
- Smith & Nephew’s medical devices in the above categories being listed as contracted in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 July 2026 under a national agreement that all Health NZ hospitals may purchase under; and
- Health NZ hospitals being able to purchase other suppliers’ brands of medical devices from the above categories as the agreement is not for sole supply.
Any changes to the original proposal?
This decision was subject to a consultation letter dated 4 May 2026.(external link) Following the consultation, some devices were removed from the medical device list.
Who we think will be most interested
- Health NZ hospital staff
- Clinical engineers and maintenance services
- ICU, emergency, and critical care staff
- Neurologists and Neurosurgeons
- Nurses
- Ophthalmologists
- Perioperative staff
- Procurement and supply chain
- Radiologists
- Sterile services personnel
- Surgeons
- Surgical and general ward staff
- Suppliers and wholesalers
Detail about this decision
In 2021 Pharmac issued an RFP for the supply of surgical implants, medical and surgical instruments and power tools, and associated products(external link).
The RFP was for a non-exclusive national agreement for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.
After completing the evaluation process, and consulting on the provisional agreement with Smith & Nephew, Pharmac has decided to list Smith & Nephew’s surgical implants, and medical and surgical instruments and power tools in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 July 2026.
The list of products will be available on Pharmac’s website from 1 July 2026
Health NZ hospitals can continue to choose which surgical implants, and medical and surgical instruments and power tools they purchase, including those from other suppliers. Health NZ hospitals that purchase medical devices in these categories from Smith & Nephew must do so under the terms and conditions, including pricing, in the agreement from 1 July 2026.
Our response to what you told us
We’re really grateful for the time people took to respond to this consultation. Pharmac engaged with the supplier to resolve feedback related to the medical device list.
If you have any questions about this decision, you can email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz; or call our toll free number (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) on 0800 660 050