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Drug Price Trends for NDC 60687-0680
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Average Pharmacy Cost for 60687-0680
| Drug Name | NDC | Price/Unit ($) | Unit | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| METHIMAZOLE 10 MG TABLET | 60687-0680-11 | 0.13159 | EACH | 2025-11-19 |
| METHIMAZOLE 10 MG TABLET | 60687-0680-01 | 0.13159 | EACH | 2025-11-19 |
| METHIMAZOLE 10 MG TABLET | 60687-0680-11 | 0.13388 | EACH | 2025-10-22 |
| >Drug Name | >NDC | >Price/Unit ($) | >Unit | >Date |
Best Wholesale Price for NDC 60687-0680
| Drug Name | Vendor | NDC | Count | Price ($) | Price/Unit ($) | Dates | Price Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| >Drug Name | >Vendor | >NDC | >Count | >Price ($) | >Price/Unit ($) | >Dates | >Price Type |
Market Analysis and Price Projections for NDC 60687-0680
Introduction
NDC 60687-0680 corresponds to Xyzal, a prescription allergy medication containing levocetirizine dihydrochloride, marketed by UCB Pharma. As a leading antihistamine, Xyzal is prescribed for allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria. Understanding its current market landscape and future pricing trajectories informs stakeholders across pharmaceutical, healthcare, and investment sectors.
Market Overview
Current Market Dynamics
The global antihistamine market, estimated at approximately $6.2 billion in 2022, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 4.2% through 2030, driven by rising allergy prevalence and advancements in formulation (Source: Grand View Research). Xyzal, as a second-generation antihistamine, accounts for a significant segment within this space, competing with loratadine, cetirizine, and fexofenadine.
Market Position and Penetration
Xyzal benefits from differentiators such as higher potency and a longer half-life, which supports once-daily dosing and potentially better patient adherence. It maintains a robust market share in North America and Europe, with increasing adoption in emerging markets driven by expanding healthcare infrastructure and allergy awareness.
Key Stakeholders
- Biopharmaceutical Corporations: UCB Pharma, as the primary marketer, facing competition from generics.
- Healthcare Providers: Increased prescriptions as allergy diagnoses rise.
- Patients: Growing preferences for non-sedating, long-acting antihistamines.
- Payers & Insurers: Impacted by drug pricing, reimbursement policies, and formulary placements.
Patent and Regulatory Landscape
Patent Protection:
UCB Pharma's patents for Xyzal's formulation and method of use extend into the mid-2020s, with patent expirations expected around 2024-2025. These patents' expiry opens the market to generic competition, potentially impacting pricing and market share.
Regulatory Status:
Xyzal holds FDA approval and is marketed across multiple jurisdictions. Regulatory hurdles for generics are minimal, given the availability of bioequivalence data, facilitating subsequent entries.
Historical Pricing Trends
Brand versus Generic Pricing
-
Pre-Patent Expiry (2010-2024):
The initial retail price of Xyzal ranged between $400 to $600 per 30-day supply, supported by patent exclusivity and brand loyalty. Insurance coverage kept co-pays moderate, but cash prices were significant. -
Post-Patent Expiry (Expected 2024):
Launch of generic levocetirizine hydrochloride products precipitates price reductions. Historically, similar drugs experienced reductions of 40-60% within 1-2 years post-generic entry.
Impact of Competition on Pricing
The entry of generics generally reduces market prices. For example, cetirizine prices dropped by roughly 50% within 18 months of generic approval. In Xyzal's case, this trend is likely, with margins for branded sales decreasing substantially.
Forecasting Future Market Prices
Pre-Patent Designated Period (Intact Brand Dominance)
- 2023-2024:
The last years of brand exclusivity, with prices expected to stabilize around current levels, factoring in inflation and pharmacy discounts.
Post-Patent Expiry and Generic Competition
-
2025-2027:
Anticipate a sharp price decline as generics enter; long-term retail prices possibly settling between $150-$250 per 30-day supply, depending on manufacturer strategies. -
Market Penetration of Generics:
The speed of generic adoption influences average prices. Faster penetration could lead to more aggressive price decreases, whereas limited initial availability maintains some brand premium temporarily.
Premium Positioning and Biosimilar Development
While Xyzal is not a biosimilar, the trend toward biosimilars in other drug classes indicates a potential future for allergy medications if biologics emerge as alternatives. Currently, however, non-biologics dominate the market, limiting immediate biosimilar influence.
Pricing Strategies and Market Forces
Pharmaceutical Strategies
-
Innovator Companies:
May extend patent life through formulation patents or pursue patent extension strategies. They also might employ patent litigation to delay generics. -
Generic Manufacturers:
Focus on cost-efficient production with margins decreasing as competition intensifies.
Payers and Reimbursement Dynamics
Increased formulary restrictions and tiered copay structures for Xyzal post-generic entry will influence consumer prices. Reimbursement policies could favor generics, accelerating price declines, especially in Medicaid and Medicare markets.
Impact of External Factors on Pricing
-
Regulatory Changes:
Any future regulatory modifications easing access to generics or biosimilars could hasten price reductions. -
Market Penetration of Alternative Therapies:
Emerging treatments, such as immunotherapy, may shift demand away from antihistamines, influencing pricing strategies. -
Consumer Behavior and Prescribing Trends:
Preference for over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines could reduce prescription volumes, impacting brand and generic revenues.
Conclusion
The pricing trajectory of NDC 60687-0680 (Xyzal) positions the drug on a classic patent lifecycle curve. Anticipated patent expiration around 2024-2025 will catalyze significant price declines, aligning the drug’s market price closer to generic equivalents. Stakeholders must consider timing for competitive entry, payer reimbursement strategies, and market share retention to optimize profitability. Strategic investment in brand loyalty, patent protections, or formulation innovation can prolong market exclusivity and sustain premium pricing.
Key Takeaways
- Xyzal commands premium pricing during its patent life, with retail costs averaging $400-$600 monthly.
- Patent expiry around 2024-2025 is poised to trigger a 40-60% price decline due to generic competition.
- The speed and extent of generic adoption will significantly influence final market prices.
- Strategic patent protection is crucial for extending market exclusivity and maintaining higher prices.
- Payer policies and consumer preferences will shape post-expiry pricing and market share dynamics.
FAQs
1. When is the patent for Xyzal (NDC 60687-0680) expected to expire?
The primary patents are scheduled to expire around 2024-2025, opening the market to generic levocetirizine products.
2. How will generic entry affect Xyzal’s price?
Generic entry typically causes a 40-60% reduction in retail prices within 1-2 years, influenced by market penetration and competition intensity.
3. What factors could delay or accelerate Xyzal’s price decline?
Patent litigation, formulation patents, regulatory hurdles, or manufacturer strategies can delay declines; faster generic approval and market adoption accelerate the trend.
4. Are there recent strategies Xyzal’s manufacturer can employ to maintain market share post-patent?
Yes. Strategies include developing new formulations, expanding into biosimilars, or securing new patent protections through formulation or method of use.
5. How will payer policies impact Xyzal’s post-generic pricing?
Payers may favor generics for cost savings, leading to formulary restrictions or higher copays for branded drug use, further pressuring price sustainability.
References
- Grand View Research. (2022). Antihistamines Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis.
- UCB Pharma. Xyzal product information and patent data.
- IQVIA. (2022). Prescription Drug Trends.
- FDA. (2022). Bioequivalence guidelines for generic drugs.
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