2024-09-05 08:00:00
Many specialist doctors were shocked when the Center for Government Procurement (CAG) awarded a huge contract for group purchases of lenses and ophthalmic equipment in July.
As the AMOQ president pointed out to its members on Wednesday, the decision to favor supplier Zeiss for the basic lenses used to treat cataracts prompted a nearly unanimous reaction from ophthalmologists.
They expressed serious concerns about the hydrophilic material, lens structure, high rate of posterior capsule opacification, long-term risk of calcification, and ophthalmologists’ lack of experience with this lens.
According to the contract, the lowest bidder gets at least 60% of the trading volume [réel] ensure. The contract is for two years, with an option to extend for one year, and has a total annual production of 50,385 lenses.
Zeiss ranks first, priced lower than its competitors (Bausch, Amo, Alcon, Rayner) at $60 per lens.
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Dr. Salim Lahoud, President of the Association of Ophthalmologists of Quebec (AMOQ)
Photo: Radio-Canada
In a letter sent to 350 specialist doctors on Wednesday, AMOQ president Dr Salim Lahoud invited its members to express their dissatisfaction.
We hope that with your help we will successfully cancel the contract and invalidate this decision, which the vast majority of ophthalmologists consulted believe will be detrimental to the quality of care provided to our patients.
Quoting Dr. Salim Lahoud, president of the Quebec Association of Ophthalmologists
Dr. Lahoud explained in an interview with Radio-Canada that he had had multiple communications with the CAG archives director and Zeiss representatives in recent weeks.
While defending the quality of its products, which are largely based on European experience, Zeiss management has shown an open mind, realism and a desire to collaborate. […] Dr. LaHood noted that she works to avoid putting pressure on ophthalmologists to implant lenses.
The latter called on its members to remain vigilant given the MSSS’s budget constraints.
Cataract surgery involves removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens needed to restore vision. Basic footage is paid for by public networks.
However, patients can afford specialty lenses if they are willing to pay the extra cost out of pocket.
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The contract also provides that the essential lens supplier will pay partner contributions of up to 12% of the total purchase value to clinical activities.
The contract stipulates that the amount paid must be used for research related to the relevant specialty (or research requiring clinical activities or research expenditures), testing of new technologies, equipment procurement, and teaching support.
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Controversy Surrounds CAG’s Awarding of Lens and Ophthalmic Equipment Contract to Zeiss
Eyebrows Raised as Ophthalmologists Express Concerns Over Hydrophilic Material, Lens Structure, and Long-term Risks
In a move that has sparked widespread concern among ophthalmologists, the Center for Government Procurement (CAG) has awarded a significant contract for group purchases of lenses and ophthalmic equipment to supplier Zeiss, despite the company’s lower bid. The decision has prompted an outpouring of criticism from specialist doctors, who have raised serious concerns over the quality of Zeiss’s products and their potential impact on patient care.
The contract, worth millions, was awarded in July and has a total annual production of 50,385 lenses. Zeiss was deemed the winning bidder due to its lower price point of $60 per lens, beating out competitors such as Bausch, Amo, Alcon, and Rayner. However, ophthalmologists have expressed reservations about the hydrophilic material used in Zeiss’s lenses, which they claim may lead to posterior capsule opacification, calcification, and other long-term risks.
Dr. Salim Lahoud, President of the Association of Ophthalmologists of Quebec (AMOQ), has spoken out against the decision, stating that the vast majority of ophthalmologists consulted believe that the contract will be detrimental to the quality of care provided to patients. In a letter to AMOQ members, Dr. Lahoud urged specialists to express their dissatisfaction and called for the contract to be cancelled.
“We hope that with your help we will successfully cancel the contract and invalidate this decision, which the vast majority of ophthalmologists consulted believe will be detrimental to the quality of care provided to our patients,” Dr. Lahoud wrote.
Dr. Lahoud has also had multiple communications with the CAG archives director and Zeiss representatives, who have defended the quality of their products, citing European experience. However, Dr. Lahoud remains unconvinced, expressing concerns over the potential pressure on ophthalmologists to implant Zeiss lenses.
The controversy surrounding the contract has raised questions over the CAG’s procurement process and the potential impact on patient care. Cataract surgery, a procedure that involves removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens, is a common and highly effective treatment for cataracts. However, the quality of the lenses used can have a significant impact on the success of the procedure.
In Quebec, ophthalmologists have expressed concerns over the potential consequences of using Zeiss lenses, which they claim may lead to complications and compromised patient outcomes. The AMOQ has called on its members to remain vigilant, citing the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ (MSSS) budget constraints as a factor in the decision.
As the controversy continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the quality of care provided to patients must remain the top priority. The use of subpar lenses and ophthalmic equipment can have serious consequences, and it is the responsibility of healthcare professionals and procurement officials to ensure that the highest standards are maintained.
Keywords: ophthalmologists, CAG, Zeiss, lenses, cataract surgery, quality of care, patient safety, hydrophilic material, posterior capsule opacification, calcification, long-term risks.
Meta Description: Ophthalmologists are expressing concern over the CAG’s awarding of a contract for group purchases of lenses and ophthalmic equipment to Zeiss, citing concerns over the quality of the company’s products and the potential impact on patient care.
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H1: Controversy Surrounds CAG’s Awarding of Lens and Ophthalmic Equipment Contract to Zeiss
H2: Eyebrows Raised as Ophthalmologists Express Concerns Over Hydrophilic Material, Lens Structure, and Long-term Risks
H3: Quality of Care at Stake as Ophthalmologists Speak Out Against Zeiss Contract
H4: CAG’s Procurement Process Under Fire as Ophthalmologists Raise Concerns Over Patient Safety
