Proposal to list medical devices supplied by Carl Zeiss (N.Z.) Limited

Hospital devices Consultation Closed

What we’re proposing

Pharmac is seeking feedback on a proposal to enter into a medical devices listing agreement from 1 September 2025 with Carl Zeiss (N.Z.) Limited (“Carl Zeiss”) for medical devices in the following categories:

Consultation closes at 4pm, Friday 18 July 2025 and feedback can be emailed to alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz.

What would the effect be?

From 1 September 2025 a range of medical devices in the following categories

  • surgical implants
  • medical and surgical instruments and power tools, and
  • patient assessment, monitoring and treatment

supplied by Carl Zeiss would be listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule under a national agreement for all Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (“Health NZ”) hospitals to purchase under, subject to consultation and approval by Pharmac’s Board or delegate.

The agreement would not be for sole supply and Health NZ hospitals can continue to purchase other suppliers’ brands of surgical implants, medical and surgical instruments and power tools, and patient assessment, monitoring and treatment medical devices.

The agreement would supersede any existing Health NZ contracts with Carl Zeiss for the medical devices included in the agreement. Any medical device listed in the agreement, and purchased by a Health NZ hospital, would be in accordance with the terms and conditions, including price, stated in the agreement effective from the date of listing in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

Pricing for medical devices in the agreement, subject to any prior termination of the agreement, would not be increased without prior consultation and approval by Pharmac.

Who we think will be interested

  • Health NZ staff including but not limited to the following areas:
    • Audiologists
    • Clinical engineers and maintenance services
    • Clinical Product Coordinators
    • Dermatologists
    • ENT clinicians
    • ICU, emergency, and critical care staff
    • Neurosciences
    • Nurses
    • Ophthalmologists
    • Patient Monitoring
    • Perioperative staff
    • Procurement and supply chain personnel
    • Sterile services personnel
    • Psychologists
    • Somnology
    • Surgeons
    • Surgical and general ward staff
    • Vascular medicine clinicians
    • Wards and outpatient clinics
  • Suppliers and wholesalers

About these products

Surgical implants are devices that are placed in or on the body. These devices support a range of functions, such as replacing damaged tissue, supporting existing tissue or enhancing existing bodily functions. The surgical implants encompass product ranges of reconstructive implants, surgical stents, orthopaedic soft tissue fixation, surgical mesh, ocular implants, aural implants and implantable neurostimulators.

Medical and surgical instruments and power tool products are used in a vast range of medical and surgical specialities and procedures. Some are more generally used within clinical practice and others have highly specific applications. Some require power sources or other equipment to perform their function.

Patient assessment, monitoring and treatment devices include equipment and consumable medical devices that are used in a variety of clinical settings to assess, monitor and treat patients. Clinical areas of use include Audiology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Neurosciences and Psychology, Ophthalmology, Somnology, Urology, Vascular Medicine, Wards and Outpatient Clinics.

Why we’re proposing this

In 2018 Pharmac issued a Request for Proposal (“RFP”) for the supply of multi-category Patient Assessment, Monitoring and Treatment Equipment and Consumables.

In 2021 Pharmac issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the supply of surgical implants, medical and surgical instruments and power tools, and associated products.

Both RFPs were for non-exclusive national agreements for listing on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

Pharmac has been working with suppliers who responded to the RFPs, and were successful in being progressed to contract negotiation, to seek provisional agreements. This proposal is the latest to arise from these processes.

Details about our proposal

Pharmac has entered into a provisional agreement with Carl Zeiss for the supply of surgical implants, medical and surgical instruments and power tools, and patient assessment, monitoring and treatment devices. The proposal would result in listing 3,686 medical devices in the ZEISS brand.

Further information, including pricing and contractual details, has been provided to Health NZ procurement personnel. Clinicians interested in further detail on what the proposal means for their hospital should engage with the procurement team.

To provide feedback

Send us an email: alyssa.currie@pharmac.govt.nz by 4pm, Friday 18 July 2025.

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.

Your feedback may be shared

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We will consider your views when assessing whether the feedback has to be released. Tell us if there is anything about your feedback that you would prefer wasn’t released.

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