Outcomes of Imported Immunoglobulin Tender and Transition Arrangements

Outcomes of Tender for Imported Immunoglobulin and Transition Arrangements

The National Blood Authority (NBA) has finalised a procurement process for new national contracts for the supply of imported immunoglobulin (Ig) products, with existing contracts expiring on 31 December 2020. The procurement results in contracts with four companies: CSL Behring and Grifols (which are current suppliers of Ig products), Takeda (which supplies other products to the NBA) and Octapharma (which is a former supplier of products and will re-enter the Australian market).

The new supply arrangements, summarised in the table below, will commence a progressive transition on 1 January 2021 and continue for a period of up to five years, with extension options available. Current products such as Gamunex, Flebogamma, Privigen and Hizentra will remain available in supply from 1 January 2021. New products such as Octagam and Cuvitru will commence supply from 1 March 2021. The dates and arrangements for commencement of supply of Kiovig and Hyqvia are yet to be settled.

The NBA has been able to negotiate robust and diverse supply arrangements that introduce an increased number of products and suppliers, thereby improving the security and sustainability of supply arrangements for Australia and achieve better average product prices. These supply arrangements are as follows:

 

Current Arrangements

Product name (Supplier)

New Arrangements

Product name (Supplier)

Imported Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Privigen (CSL Behring)

Flebogamma (Grifols)

Gamunex (Grifols)

 

Privigen (CSL Behring)

Flebogamma (Grifols)

Gamunex (Grifols)

Octagam (Octapharma)

Kiovig (Takeda)

Imported Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin

Hizentra (CSL Behring)

Hizentra (CSL Behring)

Cuvitru (Takeda)

Hyqvia (Takeda)

Products available under current contracts will continue to be available and patients already receiving ongoing treatment with particular Ig products are not expected to be required to switch product brands. The NBA will more actively manage supply arrangements under the new contracts to ensure continuity with the supply of the range of products.

Further information on the tender process can be obtained by contacting the National Blood Authority by email at supply.management.plasma@blood.gov.au.