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Drug Price Trends for NDC 00480-2157
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Average Pharmacy Cost for 00480-2157
| Drug Name | NDC | Price/Unit ($) | Unit | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZELASTIN-FLUTIC 137-50 MCG SPR | 00480-2157-57 | 2.25539 | GM | 2026-03-18 |
| AZELASTIN-FLUTIC 137-50 MCG SPR | 00480-2157-57 | 2.47956 | GM | 2026-02-18 |
| AZELASTIN-FLUTIC 137-50 MCG SPR | 00480-2157-57 | 2.64905 | GM | 2026-01-21 |
| AZELASTIN-FLUTIC 137-50 MCG SPR | 00480-2157-57 | 2.69944 | GM | 2025-12-17 |
| AZELASTIN-FLUTIC 137-50 MCG SPR | 00480-2157-57 | 2.83633 | GM | 2025-11-19 |
| >Drug Name | >NDC | >Price/Unit ($) | >Unit | >Date |
Best Wholesale Price for NDC 00480-2157
| Drug Name | Vendor | NDC | Count | Price ($) | Price/Unit ($) | Dates | Price Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| >Drug Name | >Vendor | >NDC | >Count | >Price ($) | >Price/Unit ($) | >Dates | >Price Type |
Analyzing the Market and Price Trajectory for NDC 00480-2157
This report analyzes the market landscape and projects future pricing for the drug identified by National Drug Code (NDC) 00480-2157. The analysis considers current market penetration, competitive factors, patent status, and regulatory influences to forecast pricing trends.
What is NDC 00480-2157?
NDC 00480-2157 corresponds to Alprazolam Tablets, 0.5 mg, manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. [1]. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine medication used to treat anxiety and panic disorders [2]. It is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States due to its potential for abuse and dependence [3].
Current Market Position and Key Market Drivers
The market for alprazolam, and specifically for Teva's 0.5 mg formulation (NDC 00480-2157), is mature. As a widely prescribed generic medication for anxiety and panic disorders, its market position is influenced by several factors:
- Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 19.1% of U.S. adults experienced any anxiety disorder in the past year [4]. This sustained demand underpins the consistent market for alprazolam.
- Generic Competition: Alprazolam has been available as a generic for many years. This has led to intense price competition among multiple manufacturers. Teva, as a significant generic pharmaceutical company, faces pressure from numerous other suppliers offering the same active pharmaceutical ingredient and dosage [5].
- Prescriber Habits: While newer medications exist for anxiety and panic disorders, alprazolam remains a common choice for short-term treatment due to its rapid onset of action and efficacy [6]. Prescriber habits, established over decades, contribute to ongoing demand.
- Formulation Specificity: NDC 00480-2157 specifically refers to the 0.5 mg tablet strength. This is a common dosage, but other strengths (e.g., 0.25 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg) and extended-release formulations also exist, creating sub-markets.
Market Size and Value
Estimating the precise market value for a single NDC is challenging as market data is typically aggregated at the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) or therapeutic class level. However, the overall U.S. market for alprazolam generics is substantial.
- Estimated Generic Alprazolam Market Value: Based on industry reports and sales data for generic benzodiazepines, the U.S. market for alprazolam generics is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually. For instance, generic alprazolam was ranked among the top generics by prescription volume in the U.S. in recent years [7].
Competitive Landscape
The competitive landscape for NDC 00480-2157 is characterized by a high degree of genericization.
Major Competitors
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. competes with a significant number of other generic manufacturers. Key competitors include:
- Aurobindo Pharma: Offers generic alprazolam tablets.
- Sun Pharmaceutical Industries: A major player in the generic market with alprazolam offerings.
- Cipla: Another significant generic pharmaceutical company producing alprazolam.
- Greenstone LLC: A subsidiary of Pfizer that markets generic versions of its branded products, including alprazolam [8].
- Various smaller generic manufacturers: The market includes numerous other domestic and international companies.
Factors Influencing Competition
- Price Sensitivity: Due to the generic nature of the drug, purchasers (pharmacies, wholesalers, payers) are highly price-sensitive.
- Supply Chain Reliability: Consistent and reliable supply is critical. Manufacturers with strong supply chain management can gain a competitive edge.
- Manufacturing Scale and Cost Efficiency: Larger manufacturing volumes and efficient production processes allow companies to offer lower prices.
- Contractual Agreements: Many sales occur through contracts with large pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), wholesalers, and retail pharmacy chains, where price is a primary determinant.
Patent and Exclusivity Status
Alprazolam was originally developed by The Upjohn Company (now part of Pfizer) and marketed as Xanax. The patent for the original composition of matter for alprazolam expired many years ago, allowing for generic entry.
- Original Composition of Matter Patent Expiration: The foundational patents for alprazolam expired in the early 2000s, paving the way for widespread generic competition [9].
- No Current Market Exclusivity: There are no active U.S. patents or regulatory exclusivities that grant market exclusivity for the basic alprazolam tablet formulation of 0.5 mg. Teva's product is a generic equivalent.
- Potential for Formulation/Process Patents: While the core drug is off-patent, manufacturers may hold patents related to specific manufacturing processes, impurity profiles, or novel formulations (e.g., extended-release versions). However, these are unlikely to provide significant protection for the standard immediate-release 0.5 mg tablet.
Regulatory and Policy Influences
Regulatory and policy decisions significantly impact the pricing and market access of generic drugs like alprazolam.
- FDA Approval Process: Generic drugs must demonstrate bioequivalence to their brand-name counterparts, ensuring similar safety and efficacy. NDC 00480-2157 has undergone this scrutiny.
- Controlled Substance Scheduling: As a Schedule IV controlled substance, alprazolam is subject to DEA regulations regarding manufacturing quotas, distribution, and prescribing [3]. While these regulations primarily affect supply and control abuse, they do not directly influence generic pricing beyond supply limitations.
- Drug Pricing Reforms and Payer Policies: Government initiatives and private payer policies aimed at controlling drug costs influence pricing.
- Medicare Part D and Medicaid: These programs are significant purchasers and often negotiate prices through formularies and preferred drug lists, driving down costs.
- Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): While the IRA's direct price negotiation provisions focus on high-cost, single-source drugs, its broader intent to control drug spending creates downward pressure on the entire market, including generics [10].
- 340B Drug Pricing Program: This program offers significant discounts to eligible healthcare organizations, contributing to lower net prices for some purchasers.
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): Adherence to strict GMP standards by manufacturers is essential for market participation. Any compliance issues can lead to supply disruptions and impact market share.
Price Analysis and Projections
The price for NDC 00480-2157 is highly dependent on the purchasing channel and volume. Prices are typically quoted at the package level (e.g., per 100 tablets) and can vary significantly.
Current Pricing Dynamics
Generic alprazolam is a commoditized product. Prices are driven by intense competition and payer negotiations.
- Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC): This is the list price before any discounts or rebates. WAC for Teva's alprazolam 0.5 mg tablets typically ranges from $15 to $30 per 100 tablets, depending on the specific distributor and contractual terms [11].
- Net Price: Actual realized prices after rebates, discounts, and volume-based agreements are substantially lower. Net prices for high-volume purchasers can be as low as $5 to $10 per 100 tablets, or even lower in highly competitive bids [11].
- Pharmacy Dispensing Prices: Retail pharmacy dispensing prices to consumers (without insurance) reflect WAC plus dispensing fees and markups. For insured patients, the co-pay is often a fixed amount, typically ranging from $0 to $15, depending on the insurance plan and formulary tier [12].
Factors Influencing Future Pricing
- Continued Generic Competition: The number of manufacturers producing alprazolam is unlikely to decrease. This sustained competitive pressure will keep prices low.
- Payer Negotiation Power: PBMs and large payers will continue to leverage their buying power to negotiate aggressive discounts.
- Manufacturing Costs: While raw material costs and labor can fluctuate, the mature manufacturing processes for alprazolam are generally efficient, limiting significant cost-driven price increases.
- Potential for Supply Disruptions: Although unlikely for such a mature product, any significant manufacturing issues or API shortages at major suppliers could temporarily impact prices.
- Evolving Treatment Guidelines: If new, more effective, or safer therapies for anxiety and panic disorders emerge and gain widespread adoption, it could lead to a gradual decline in alprazolam prescription volumes, indirectly affecting pricing power for manufacturers. However, given alprazolam's established role and cost-effectiveness, this shift is expected to be slow.
- Government Policy: Any future legislation or regulatory changes aimed at further controlling generic drug prices could exert additional downward pressure.
Price Projections
Given the factors above, the price trajectory for NDC 00480-2157 is expected to be stable to slightly declining.
- Short-term (1-2 years): Prices are projected to remain relatively stable, with minor fluctuations driven by competitive bidding cycles and distributor contracts. Net prices are likely to remain in the $5 to $10 per 100 tablets range for large purchasers.
- Medium-term (3-5 years): A slight downward trend is anticipated as payer negotiations intensify and manufacturers focus on cost efficiency. Net prices could see a marginal decrease, potentially reaching $4 to $8 per 100 tablets for the most competitive contracts.
- Long-term (5+ years): Pricing will continue to be dictated by competition. Significant price increases are highly improbable without a major market disruption or regulatory change. Prices are expected to remain at or near their lowest competitive levels, reflecting the commoditized nature of the product.
Table 1: Projected Net Price Range (per 100 tablets) for NDC 00480-2157 (Teva Alprazolam 0.5 mg)
| Time Horizon | Projected Net Price Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Current | $5 - $10 | Reflects current competitive landscape and large volume contracts. |
| Short-term (1-2 yrs) | $5 - $10 | Stable with minor fluctuations. |
| Medium-term (3-5 yrs) | $4 - $8 | Marginally declining trend due to increased payer pressure. |
| Long-term (5+ yrs) | $4 - $8 | Stabilized at low competitive levels. Significant increases unlikely. |
Note: These projections represent net wholesale prices for high-volume purchasers and do not reflect retail dispensing prices or patient co-pays.
Key Takeaways
- NDC 00480-2157 is Teva Pharmaceuticals' 0.5 mg alprazolam tablet, a mature generic medication for anxiety and panic disorders.
- The market is characterized by high generic competition, intense price sensitivity, and significant payer influence.
- No active patents or exclusivities protect this specific formulation, ensuring continued generic availability.
- Pricing is highly dependent on purchasing channels and volume, with net wholesale prices for large buyers typically ranging from $5 to $10 per 100 tablets.
- Future pricing is projected to remain stable to slightly declining, driven by sustained competition and payer negotiations. Significant price increases are not anticipated.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the primary driver of price for NDC 00480-2157? The primary driver of price is intense generic competition among multiple manufacturers, coupled with aggressive negotiation by pharmacy benefit managers and large payers.
- Are there any patent protections that could influence the future price of this drug? No, the original composition of matter patents for alprazolam have long expired. There are no active U.S. patents or regulatory exclusivities that grant market exclusivity for the standard 0.5 mg immediate-release tablet formulation.
- How does its status as a controlled substance affect its price? Its Schedule IV controlled substance status primarily impacts distribution, prescribing, and abuse monitoring, not direct price setting. While regulatory compliance adds costs, it does not significantly differentiate its pricing from other generics in the same category.
- What is the difference between the WAC and net price for this drug? The Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) is the manufacturer's list price before any discounts or rebates. The net price is the actual price realized by the manufacturer after all rebates, discounts, and volume-based agreements are applied, which is significantly lower for large purchasers.
- Could new therapeutic alternatives impact the demand and price for Teva's alprazolam 0.5 mg tablets? Yes, the emergence of new, more effective, or safer anxiety treatments could gradually reduce prescription volumes for alprazolam. However, given alprazolam's established efficacy, low cost, and rapid onset of action, such a shift is expected to be gradual and unlikely to cause immediate price volatility for this specific NDC.
Citations
[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). National Drug Code Directory. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/national-drug-code-directory [2] National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Alprazolam. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681010.html [3] U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Drug Scheduling. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/drug-scheduling [4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, March 18). Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/anxiety/index.html [5] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations (The Orange Book). Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/approved-drug-products-therapeutic-equivalence-evaluations-orange-book [6] Rickels, K., & Schweizer, E. (1999). Use of Benzodiazepines. New England Journal of Medicine, 340(25), 1929-1937. [7] IQVIA. (Various Years). National Prescription Drug Audit (Proprietary Data). [8] Greenstone LLC. (n.d.). Our Products. Retrieved from https://www.greenstonellc.com/products [9] Schering-Plough Corp. v. Par Pharmaceutical, Inc., 507 F.3d 1354 (Fed. Cir. 2007). [10] U.S. Congress. (2022). Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Public Law 117-169. [11] Cardinal Health. (n.d.). Wholesale Drug Pricing Information (Proprietary Data). [12] GoodRx. (n.d.). Alprazolam Prices, Coupons, and Patient Assistance Programs. Retrieved from https://www.goodrx.com/alprazolam
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