NEW Zealand's Pharmaceutical Management Agency PHARMAC has opened its annual medicines tender inviting suppliers to bid on over 500 products by 15 Dec 2016.
The annual tender creates significant savings which help fund more medicines for more people, says PHARMAC director of operations, Sarah Fitt.
"The annual tender has generated nearly $700 million in savings since it began, which allows PHARMAC to cope with the growth in demand for existing medicines, fund new medicines and widen access to others," says Fitt.
With most of the products included in the tender dispensed through pharmacies, Fitt added, "Pharmacy staff play an important role in the ongoing success of the tender by talking patients through any changes to their medicines."
"After receiving feedback from pharmacy, we are requesting suppliers place bids for pack sizes that make the most sense for pharmacy, like 30 or 90 day packs.
"For some medicines, like paracetamol, we're asking for blister packs as well as bulk packs for pharmacies that use robotic packing machines.
The organisation is this year using a new electronic tendering system developed with independent vendor InTend, in response to feedback from suppliers.
Seven hospital and community pharmacists are consultants on the PHARMAC New Zealand Tender Medical Evaluation Subcommittee, along with four other clinicians.
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