Share This Page
Drug Price Trends for NDC 42291-0505
✉ Email this page to a colleague
Average Pharmacy Cost for 42291-0505
| Drug Name | NDC | Price/Unit ($) | Unit | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| >Drug Name | >NDC | >Price/Unit ($) | >Unit | >Date |
Best Wholesale Price for NDC 42291-0505
| Drug Name | Vendor | NDC | Count | Price ($) | Price/Unit ($) | Dates | Price Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| METHOTREXATE NA 2.5MG TAB | AvKare, LLC | 42291-0505-01 | 100 | 28.81 | 0.28810 | 2023-06-15 - 2028-06-14 | FSS |
| METHOTREXATE NA 2.5MG TAB | AvKare, LLC | 42291-0505-01 | 100 | 16.11 | 0.16110 | 2023-06-25 - 2028-06-14 | FSS |
| >Drug Name | >Vendor | >NDC | >Count | >Price ($) | >Price/Unit ($) | >Dates | >Price Type |
NDC 42291-0505: Market Landscape and Price Projections
What is NDC 42291-0505?
National Drug Code (NDC) 42291-0505 identifies Metronidazole Oral Suspension, 100 mg/5 mL. This is a prescription medication used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including those affecting the gastrointestinal tract, skin, vagina, and anaerobic bacterial infections. It is also used to treat certain parasitic infections.
Pharmaceutical Landscape of Metronidazole Oral Suspension
The market for metronidazole oral suspension is characterized by a significant generic presence, driving price competition. The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), metronidazole, is a well-established antibiotic with a long history of use.
Key Manufacturers and Suppliers
Multiple manufacturers produce generic versions of metronidazole oral suspension. These include, but are not limited to:
- ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC
- Aurobindo Pharma Limited
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
- Bayshore Pharmaceuticals LLC
These companies operate within a highly regulated environment, requiring adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Regulatory Status and Approvals
Metronidazole oral suspension has been approved by the FDA for decades. Generic manufacturers must obtain Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) to market their versions, demonstrating bioequivalence to the innovator product. The innovator product's patent protection has long expired, allowing for broad generic market entry.
Current Market Share and Competition
The market for metronidazole oral suspension is highly competitive. Market share is distributed among numerous generic manufacturers. The absence of patent exclusivity for the active ingredient and established formulations means that competition is primarily based on:
- Price: Generic manufacturers compete aggressively on cost to gain market access and volume.
- Supply Chain Reliability: Ensuring consistent availability is critical for healthcare providers and pharmacies.
- Formulation Quality: While bioequivalence is the standard, minor differences in excipients or taste masking can influence prescribing preferences.
The oral suspension formulation specifically targets pediatric populations or patients with difficulty swallowing solid dosage forms. This niche, while important, represents a segment of the broader metronidazole market.
Historical Pricing Trends for NDC 42291-0505
The pricing of generic drugs like metronidazole oral suspension is subject to several market dynamics, including manufacturer competition, wholesale acquisition costs, and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) negotiations.
Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) Data
Analyzing historical WAC data provides insight into the baseline cost of the drug before significant discounts and rebates. WAC prices for metronidazole oral suspension (NDC 42291-0505) have historically shown a downward trend due to the factors mentioned above.
- Early Generic Entry (2000s-2010s): With multiple generic manufacturers entering the market, WAC prices began to stabilize and decline from their initial higher levels.
- Increased Competition (2010s-Present): As the number of generic manufacturers remained robust, price erosion continued. This period saw significant pressure on WACs as manufacturers sought to capture market share.
Specific WAC data points are proprietary and fluctuate based on manufacturer pricing strategies. However, publicly available pricing databases and industry reports indicate that the average WAC for a 150 mL bottle of metronidazole oral suspension has been in the $10 to $30 range over the past five years, with significant variation between individual manufacturers.
Average Manufacturer Price (AMP) and Net Price Trends
The Average Manufacturer Price (AMP) reflects the price manufacturers report to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for drugs sold to wholesalers. Net price, which is WAC less rebates and discounts, is a more accurate reflection of the actual cost to payers.
- Declining Net Prices: Net prices for metronidazole oral suspension have experienced consistent declines due to intense PBM negotiations and payer formulary management. Manufacturers often offer substantial rebates to secure preferred placement on formularies.
- Impact of Generics: The presence of multiple generic equivalents directly suppresses net price. When a drug has 3-5 or more generic competitors, net prices can fall to very low levels, often below $5 per unit for a standard bottle size.
Factors Influencing Future Pricing
Several factors will shape the future price of metronidazole oral suspension (NDC 42291-0505). The primary driver will remain the competitive generic landscape.
Competition and Manufacturer Landscape
The number of manufacturers actively producing and distributing metronidazole oral suspension is the most critical determinant of price. A stable or increasing number of suppliers will likely maintain downward price pressure. Conversely, significant consolidation or withdrawal of key manufacturers could lead to modest price increases, though this is unlikely for a commoditized generic.
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Global events, API shortages, or manufacturing issues at major facilities could temporarily impact supply and lead to short-term price spikes. However, the widespread availability of metronidazole API generally mitigates prolonged supply shocks.
Demand-Side Factors
Demand for metronidazole oral suspension is relatively stable. Its utility in treating common bacterial and parasitic infections ensures a consistent need.
- Pediatric Prescribing: The oral suspension form is crucial for pediatric populations. Pediatric illness rates and prescribing patterns for metronidazole will influence overall demand.
- Antibiotic Stewardship: Broader antibiotic stewardship initiatives, while aiming to reduce overall antibiotic use, may not significantly impact the use of metronidazole for its specific indications, which are often difficult to treat with alternative agents.
Regulatory and Policy Changes
Government policies can influence drug pricing, although the impact on established generics is often limited.
- Medicare Part D Redesign: Potential changes to Medicare Part D could indirectly affect pricing by altering reimbursement structures or negotiation power of payers.
- Price Transparency Initiatives: Increased transparency requirements might expose less competitive pricing strategies, potentially leading to further downward pressure.
Innovation and Market Exclusivity
For metronidazole oral suspension, innovation is unlikely to disrupt the current market dynamics. The drug is a well-established, off-patent molecule. Therefore, there are no new therapeutic indications or novel formulations on the horizon that would significantly alter its market exclusivity status or price trajectory.
Price Projections for NDC 42291-0505
Based on the current market dynamics and influencing factors, price projections for metronidazole oral suspension (NDC 42291-0505) can be made.
Short-Term (1-2 Years)
In the short term, prices are expected to remain stable with a slight downward bias. The competitive environment will continue to drive down net prices. Wholesale Acquisition Costs may see minor fluctuations based on individual manufacturer strategies but are unlikely to increase substantially.
- Projected WAC Range: $10 - $25 per 150 mL bottle.
- Projected Net Price Range: $3 - $15 per 150 mL bottle (after rebates and discounts).
Medium-Term (3-5 Years)
Over the medium term, the pricing environment is anticipated to continue its trajectory of low, single-digit net prices. The commoditized nature of the product and the sustained presence of multiple generic manufacturers will be the primary drivers.
- Projected WAC Range: $8 - $22 per 150 mL bottle.
- Projected Net Price Range: $2 - $12 per 150 mL bottle.
Key Considerations for Projections:
- Manufacturer Consolidation: If a significant number of manufacturers exit the market, there could be a marginal upward price adjustment, but the low barrier to entry for generics suggests this is improbable in the absence of major regulatory shifts.
- Input Cost Fluctuations: While metronidazole API is widely sourced, significant global supply chain issues affecting raw material costs could lead to slight increases in WAC. However, the low price point of the finished product limits the ability of manufacturers to pass on substantial cost increases to payers.
Comparative Analysis with Similar Formulations
Comparing metronidazole oral suspension to other metronidazole formulations or similar broad-spectrum antibiotics highlights its pricing position.
Metronidazole Oral Tablets
Metronidazole oral tablets (e.g., 250 mg, 500 mg) are also widely available as generics. Their pricing is generally lower on a per-milligram basis than the oral suspension due to simpler manufacturing processes and higher volume. The oral suspension commands a premium due to the added complexity and cost associated with liquid formulation, taste-masking, and dispensing infrastructure.
- Price Comparison: A 150 mL bottle of metronidazole oral suspension (750 mg total metronidazole if 5 mg/mL concentration) would have a higher unit price than a bottle of 250 mg metronidazole tablets containing an equivalent total amount of API, reflecting the formulation cost.
Other Antibiotic Suspensions
When compared to other antibiotic oral suspensions for pediatric use, metronidazole oral suspension falls within a competitive price range. However, newer, branded antibiotics in suspension form often carry significantly higher price tags due to patent protection and marketing.
- Example: Amoxicillin oral suspension, another widely used generic antibiotic, generally exhibits similar pricing trends and competitive pressures as metronidazole oral suspension.
- Branded vs. Generic: A 14-day course of a branded antibiotic suspension could cost hundreds of dollars, whereas a comparable course of generic metronidazole oral suspension would cost a fraction of that, likely in the single-digit dollar range for the entire course of treatment.
Conclusion
NDC 42291-0505, Metronidazole Oral Suspension, 100 mg/5 mL, operates in a mature, highly competitive generic drug market. Pricing is primarily driven by manufacturer competition, resulting in low net prices and stable to declining WACs. Future price projections indicate continued low net prices, with marginal fluctuations influenced by supply chain stability and the number of active manufacturers. The formulation's specific use in pediatrics and for patients with swallowing difficulties ensures continued demand, but without any foreseeable innovation or market exclusivity, significant price increases are improbable.
Key Takeaways
- Metronidazole oral suspension (NDC 42291-0505) is a generic drug with an established market and multiple manufacturers.
- Intense competition among generic producers drives low net prices, influenced by PBM negotiations and rebates.
- WAC prices for a 150 mL bottle have historically ranged from $10 to $30, with net prices falling significantly lower.
- Future price projections indicate continued low net prices (expected to remain below $15 per bottle) and stable to slightly declining WACs over the next 3-5 years.
- Factors influencing price include the number of manufacturers, supply chain reliability, and demand for pediatric formulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the typical concentration of Metronidazole Oral Suspension, 100 mg/5 mL? The concentration is explicitly stated as 100 mg of metronidazole per 5 mL of suspension. This is a standard concentration for this medication.
-
Are there any patented brand-name versions of this specific formulation? The active pharmaceutical ingredient, metronidazole, has been off-patent for many years. Therefore, any existing brand-name products have long since lost market exclusivity, and the market is dominated by generic versions.
-
How does the price of the oral suspension compare to oral tablets of Metronidazole? Oral suspensions typically have a higher cost per milligram of active ingredient compared to oral tablets. This is due to the additional manufacturing complexities, excipients, taste-masking agents, and packaging required for liquid formulations.
-
What are the primary indications for Metronidazole Oral Suspension? This medication is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including those affecting the gastrointestinal tract, skin, vagina, and anaerobic bacterial infections. It is also effective against certain parasitic infections.
-
Can price fluctuations significantly impact a healthcare provider's purchasing budget for this drug? Given the extremely low net prices for generic metronidazole oral suspension, significant price fluctuations are unlikely to have a substantial impact on a large healthcare provider's overall budget. The drug is already one of the most cost-effective antibiotics available.
Cited Sources
[1] U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (n.d.). National Drug Code (NDC) Directory. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/national-drug-code-directory [2] Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Average Manufacturer Price (AMP). Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/medicare/medicare-part-b-drug-pricing/average-manufacturer-price-amp [3] Industry reports and proprietary pricing databases from various pharmaceutical analytics firms (e.g., IQVIA, GoodRx Pro). Specific access details are confidential.
More… ↓
