Last updated: February 15, 2026
Overview
NDC 61442-0171 is a formulation of remdesivir, marketed as Veklury. It is an antiviral drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of COVID-19, particularly in hospitalized patients requiring supplemental oxygen.
Market Landscape
- Approved Indications: Primarily for COVID-19 treatment, with emergency use authorization initially granted during the pandemic’s peak.
- Market Size: The global COVID-19 antiviral market is valued at approximately $5 billion in 2022, with remdesivir accounting for around 60% of this segment due to its earlier approval and widespread use.
- Key Competitors: Paxlovid (Pfizer), Lagevrio (Merck), and other experimental antivirals.
- Market Penetration: As of late 2022, remdesivir maintained a dominant position in hospital settings, especially in the US and Europe.
Manufacturing and Distribution
- Manufacturers: Gilead Sciences holds exclusive rights, with the ability to produce and distribute remdesivir globally.
- Supply Chain: The supply chain faced initial constraints but stabilized by mid-2021. The drug is supplied as a lyophilized powder, reconstituted for IV infusion.
Pricing Trends and Projections
- Historical Pricing: In the US, the average wholesale price (AWP) has ranged from $520 to $850 per 100 mg vial depending on volume discounts and payer negotiations.
- Reimbursement Policies: Medicare and private insurers reimburse at negotiated rates, often lower than AWP. Gilead has engaged in price negotiations with various health authorities, reducing out-of-pocket costs over time.
Current Price Range (2022-2023)
| Price Component |
Estimated Price (per vial) |
Notes |
| Wholesale Price |
$520 - $850 |
Varies by volume, payer contracts, and region. |
| Patient Cost |
$0 - $150 (after insurance or subsidy) |
Out-of-pocket costs vary based on insurance plans. |
Future Price Trajectory
- Patent and Market Exclusivity: Gilead’s patent rights extend until 2030, preventing generic competition in major markets.
- Pricing Outlook:
- Short-term (next 1-2 years): Prices likely to remain stable barring new competition or policy shifts.
- Medium-term (2025–2030): Potential decrease in prices if biosimilar or generic versions are approved and enter the market post-patent expiry.
- Effect of Market Dynamics:
- The waning pandemic phase reduces demand, which could pressure prices downward.
- Innovation in COVID-19 therapeutics could diminish remdesivir’s market share, impacting prices.
Regulatory and Policy Factors
- Pricing Policies: European countries have implemented negotiation strategies favoring lower prices for COVID-19 drugs; similar trends might influence US policies indirectly.
- Reimbursement Changes: As the treatment landscape evolves, reimbursement rates may shift toward value-based or outcome-focused models, influencing the net price.
Key Drivers of Price Changes
- Production costs: assumptions of stable manufacturing costs.
- Competition: entry of new antivirals or generics.
- Policy decisions: national health authorities’ pricing negotiations or subsidies.
- Pandemic status: waning COVID-19 cases reduce demand, pressuring prices downward.
Key Takeaways
- NDC 61442-0171, a remdesivir formulation, is dominant in the COVID-19 antiviral market.
- Current prices are influenced by supply chain stability, reimbursement negotiations, and market demand.
- Prices are expected to stabilize over the short term with potential declines post-patent expiry.
- Market risks include decreasing COVID-19 cases and emerging competing therapies.
- Policymaker and payer strategies will significantly shape future pricing.
FAQs
1. Will remdesivir (NDC 61442-0171) see significant price reductions in the near future?
It’s unlikely in the short term due to patent protection and limited competition. Post-2030, biosimilars or generics could drive prices down significantly.
2. How does remdesivir’s price compare to other COVID-19 antivirals?
Remdesivir generally costs more than oral therapies like Paxlovid, which is priced around $530 per treatment course, but it remains the only FDA-approved IV antiviral for hospitalized patients.
3. Could government negotiations influence remdesivir’s market price?
Yes. Reimbursement negotiations and procurement policies tend to lower net prices, especially as governments seek cost-effective solutions.
4. What factors could lead to increased demand and higher prices?
Emergence of resistant viral strains, new indications, or supply shortages could increase demand.
5. How might market competition impact remdesivir’s profitability?
Availability of alternative antivirals or biosimilars post-2030 could reduce market share and margins, Pressuring Gilead to reduce prices.
Sources
[1] Gilead Sciences. Veklury (Remdesivir) Prescribing Information. 2022.
[2] IQVIA. Global COVID-19 antiviral market report. 2022.
[3] U.S. FDA. Remdesivir (Veklury) approval and emergency use authorization history. 2022.
[4] Pricetrak. COVID-19 drug pricing data. 2022.
[5] The Pew Charitable Trusts. COVID-19 drug and vaccine price policies. 2022.
