These are wholesale prices available to the US Federal Government which, by law, must be the best prices available under comparable terms and conditions
Price type key:
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS): generally available to all Federal Govt agencies /
'BIG4' prices: VA, DoD, Public Health & Coast Guard only /
National Contracts (NC): Available to specific agencies
Market Analysis and Price Projections for NDC 51672-1262
Last updated: March 6, 2026
What is NDC 51672-1262?
NDC 51672-1262 identifies Veklury (remdesivir), an antiviral drug developed by Gilead Sciences. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in certain COVID-19 cases, Veklury is administered via intravenous infusion. It is indicated for hospitalized patients requiring supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
Market Overview
Market Size and Demand Drivers
Initial Launch & Pandemic Response: Veklury gained prominence after Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in May 2020 and full approval in October 2020, due to COVID-19 treatment demand.
Current Adoption: The drug maintains usage in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, especially in the early pandemic phase, but its role is now somewhat limited by emerging treatments and vaccination.
Patient Population
Estimated U.S. hospitalized COVID-19 cases requiring Veklury: approximately 300,000 annually (CDC, 2022).
Globally, the market expands with countries adopting Veklury into COVID-19 treatment protocols, but supply chain and healthcare infrastructure affect distribution.
Competitive Landscape
Product Name
Mechanism
Approval Status
Market Share (2022)
Veklury (remdesivir)
RNA polymerase inhibitor
FDA approved
Estimated 70% of COVID-19 inpatient antivirals
Paxlovid (Pfizer)
Protease inhibitor
Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)
Growing, outpatient use
Molnupiravir (Merck)
RNA mutagenic agent
EUA
Growing, outpatient use
Regulatory Status and Reimbursement
FDA Approval: Full approval granted in October 2020.
Reimbursement: Covered under Medicare Part B and private insurance, with pricing negotiated by payers based on value assessments and volume.
Price History and Projections
Current Pricing
Average wholesale price (AWP): Approximately $520 per vial (as of December 2022).
Treatment course: Typically requires 6 vials for hospitalized patients, totaling roughly $3,120 per course.
Cost Factors
Manufacturing costs: Estimated between $50 and $300 per dose, depending on scale and raw materials.
Pricing negotiations: Payers aim for discounts, often reducing actual paid prices by 20-40% from AWP.
Supply constraints: Limited manufacturing capacity can influence prices; increased capacity may reduce costs.
Future Price Trends
Short-term (next 12 months): Prices likely stable, as demand remains linked to COVID-19 hospitalization rates and treatment protocols.
Medium-term (12-36 months):
Decreased demand as vaccination and alternative therapies become prevalent.
Potential price erosion of 10-20% due to increased competition and expanded manufacturing.
Price adjustments driven by negotiation leverage of payers and health systems.
Long-term (beyond 36 months):
Likely decline if Veklury transitions from a COVID-19 emergency treatment to a niche or specialty antiviral.
Possible repurposing for other viral infections could stabilize or increase prices if new indications emerge.
Impact of Market Dynamics and Policy
Adoption of new antiviral therapies and vaccines reduces overall demand.
Patent exclusivity ending or licensing agreements may introduce biosimilars or generics, exerting downward pressure on prices.
Government procurement strategies, like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), influence pricing through bulk negotiations.
Summary of Key Data
Aspect
Data Point
Current wholesale cost per vial
~$520
Treatment course cost
~$3,120
Estimated annual U.S. demand
300,000 courses
Price change projection (next 12 months)
Stable or slight decrease (~0-5%) if demand diminishes
Estimated long-term price decline
10-20% over 2-3 years due to market saturation
Key Takeaways
Veklury remains a critical antiviral for COVID-19 hospitalized patients but faces declining demand as other treatments and vaccines gain prominence.
Price projections suggest relative stability in the short term, with potential decreases driven by market saturation and generics in the medium to long term.
Negotiations, approval extensions, and the emergence of alternative therapies will influence future pricing and market share.
FAQs
Will Veklury's price increase post-pandemic?
Unlikely. Market saturation, competition, and generic development will drive prices downward over time.
What factors most impact Veklury's pricing?
Supply chain constraints, manufacturer costs, payer negotiations, and competition from new COVID-19 therapies.
Can Veklury be used for other indications?
No current approvals for other viral infections; ongoing research may explore potential repurposing.
How does government procurement affect pricing?
Bulk purchasing agreements and policies can lower actual procurement costs for healthcare providers.
What is the potential impact of biosimilar development?
Biosimilars could significantly reduce prices once patents or exclusivity periods expire.
Sources:
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). COVID-19 Hospitalization Data.
[2] U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2020). Veklury (remdesivir) approval.
[3] IQVIA. (2022). U.S. Pharmaceutical Pricing and Market Trends Report.
[4] Gilead Sciences. (2022). Veklury product information and financial disclosures.
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