Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at Whitehouse Communications, and advisor to MedTech suppliers, reports on a new review of the supply of continence products.
NHS England is undertaking a review of the current processes and commercial models which support the prescribing and supply of Stoma and Continence products listed on Part IX of the Drug Tariff.
NHSE says that the purpose of the review is to gain an in-depth understanding of the systems within which Stoma and Continence products are provided to patients, including how and where industry support is provided in acute and community settings. The overall aim is to have services that provide products that are effective, sustainable and offer value for money, as well as providing support based on clinical need, outcomes and experience.
The scope of the project will include products that relate to stoma and continence care provision and are listed on Part IX of the Drug Tariff.
As part of the project, NHSE has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to provide insight and understanding about the Stoma and Continence products on the market. The RFI makes specific reference to nurse sponsorship (specialist continence nurses working with NHS patients but paid by product suppliers), support partnership and prescription management services. The move relates back to the consultation on Part IX of the Drug Tariff, which in 2023 included a call for evidence on nurse sponsorship to understand more about potential conflicts of interest. The RFI suggests that NHS England and DHSC are aware of these issues and are working to find a solution.
Senior officials within the Department of Health and Social Care, have been alleging for some years that data suggests that sponsored nurses tend to favour dispensing the products supplied by their sponsors, rather than offering equally the full range of products available to find the one the patient prefers. However, industry sources point to a Code of Practice prohibiting such behaviour.
The Author used AI in preparing this article, comments upon or questions about which can be addressed to chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com.
