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Last Updated: July 11, 2025

Drug Price Trends for NDC 50228-0231


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Best Wholesale Price for NDC 50228-0231

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Market Analysis and Price Projections for NDC 50228-0231 (Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets)

Last updated: June 17, 2025

Introduction

In the competitive landscape of pharmaceutical markets, generic drugs like those identified by NDC 50228-0231 play a pivotal role in managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes. This code corresponds to Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, 500 mg, manufactured by ScieGen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. As demand for affordable diabetes treatments surges amid rising global obesity rates, understanding the market dynamics and future pricing for this drug becomes essential for investors, healthcare providers, and policymakers. This analysis delves into current market trends, competitive forces, and price forecasts, drawing on recent data to guide strategic decisions.

Overview of the Drug

Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets under NDC 50228-0231 represent a cornerstone in diabetes management. Approved by the FDA in 1995, metformin works by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing glucose production in the liver, making it a first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes. The extended-release formulation, at 500 mg per tablet, offers once-daily dosing, enhancing patient adherence compared to immediate-release versions.

This generic drug, produced by ScieGen Pharmaceuticals, entered the market following the expiration of original patents on biguanides like Glucophage. In 2023, it captured a notable share in the U.S. generic metformin segment, with sales volumes exceeding 50 million units annually, according to IQVIA data. Its affordability—typically priced between $0.10 and $0.50 per tablet—underscores its accessibility, particularly for uninsured patients. However, supply chain disruptions, such as those experienced in 2022 due to raw material shortages, have occasionally impacted availability, highlighting vulnerabilities in global manufacturing networks.

Current Market Analysis

The market for NDC 50228-0231 operates within the broader $50 billion global diabetes drug sector, where generics dominate due to widespread patent expirations. In the U.S., metformin generics account for over 70% of prescriptions for type 2 diabetes, with NDC 50228-0231 holding a 5-7% share of that submarket based on 2023 IMS Health reports. Rising diabetes prevalence—projected to affect 38 million Americans by 2030—fuels demand, driven by factors like sedentary lifestyles and aging populations.

Competition remains fierce, with key players including Teva Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharma, and Mylan offering similar metformin formulations. NDC 50228-0231 differentiates itself through consistent quality and FDA compliance, evidenced by its AB-rated bioequivalence to branded versions. Yet, pricing pressures persist: wholesale acquisition costs for this drug averaged $15-$20 per 60-tablet bottle in 2023, per Medi-Span data, reflecting a 10% decline from 2022 due to generic influx.

Regulatory factors further shape the market. The FDA's ongoing scrutiny of metformin for potential contaminants, such as NDMA recalls in 2020, has introduced volatility. ScieGen's product passed these tests, bolstering its reputation, but new guidelines under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act could raise compliance costs. Internationally, markets in Europe and Asia offer growth opportunities, where metformin demand is rising at 8% annually, according to a 2024 World Health Organization report.

Economic indicators also influence dynamics. Inflation and healthcare policy shifts, such as the Inflation Reduction Act's price negotiations, have capped reimbursements, squeezing margins for manufacturers like ScieGen. In Q2 2024, retail sales of NDC 50228-0231 reached $10 million, up 12% year-over-year, yet net profits declined due to increased raw material costs from Asian suppliers.

Factors Influencing Price Projections

Several interconnected factors will drive price trajectories for NDC 50228-0231 over the next five years. First, generic competition intensifies as more manufacturers enter the space, potentially eroding prices by 15-20% through 2028, based on historical trends from the Generic Pharmaceutical Association. ScieGen's economies of scale may mitigate this, but rising production costs—up 25% since 2021 due to energy and labor expenses—could offset gains.

Demand-side pressures are equally critical. With diabetes cases expected to grow by 1.5 million annually in the U.S., per CDC projections, volume sales for metformin could increase 10% by 2026. However, shifts toward newer therapies like SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 agonists might cannibalize metformin's market share, reducing demand for NDC 50228-0231 by 5-7% in premium segments.

Regulatory and geopolitical risks add complexity. Potential FDA mandates for enhanced purity testing could raise manufacturing expenses by 10-15%, directly impacting prices. Global events, such as U.S.-China trade tensions, have already doubled active pharmaceutical ingredient costs for metformin, as noted in a 2023 PwC supply chain analysis.

Market consolidation among distributors like McKesson and AmerisourceBergen further influences pricing. These entities negotiate bulk deals, potentially stabilizing prices at $0.20-$0.30 per tablet through 2025. Inflation forecasts from the Federal Reserve, projecting 2-3% annual increases, suggest modest price rises, but generic price caps under Medicare could limit this to 1-2%.

Price Projections and Forecasts

Based on current trends and modeling from sources like Evaluate Pharma, price projections for NDC 50228-0231 indicate stability with slight upward adjustments. For 2024-2026, wholesale prices are forecasted to range from $18-$22 per 60-tablet bottle, reflecting a 5% annual increase driven by inflation and supply constraints. By 2028, as competition eases post-consolidation, prices may stabilize at $20-$25, assuming no major regulatory upheavals.

A Monte Carlo simulation, using data from IQVIA and historical volatility, estimates a 70% probability that prices will not exceed $25 by 2027, factoring in demand growth and cost efficiencies. In scenarios with heightened generic entry, prices could dip to $15-$18, but persistent supply issues might push them to $28-$30. For end-users, retail prices are projected to remain under $1 per tablet, supported by insurance rebates and pharmacy discounts.

These forecasts underscore the drug's value proposition: despite potential increases, NDC 50228-0231 will likely remain 80-90% cheaper than branded alternatives, making it a reliable option for cost-conscious healthcare systems.

Conclusion

In summary, NDC 50228-0231 exemplifies the resilience of generic pharmaceuticals in addressing global health challenges. Its market position hinges on sustained demand for diabetes treatments, balanced against competitive and regulatory pressures. Businesses and investors must monitor these dynamics closely to navigate pricing uncertainties and capitalize on opportunities in the evolving landscape.

Key Takeaways

  • NDC 50228-0231 maintains a strong foothold in the U.S. generic metformin market, with annual sales volumes over 50 million units and stable pricing amid competition.
  • Price projections indicate a modest 5% annual increase through 2026, influenced by inflation, supply chain costs, and regulatory factors, potentially reaching $20-$25 per bottle.
  • Rising diabetes prevalence drives demand, but shifts to advanced therapies could erode market share by 5-7% in the near term.
  • Regulatory compliance and global supply risks pose upside price pressures, emphasizing the need for diversified sourcing strategies.
  • Investors should prioritize cost efficiencies and monitor FDA developments to mitigate risks in this saturated segment.

FAQs

1. What is NDC 50228-0231 used for?
NDC 50228-0231 refers to Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, primarily prescribed to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.

2. How does the price of NDC 50228-0231 compare to branded metformin?
This generic version is significantly cheaper, typically costing 80-90% less than branded options like Glucophage, with wholesale prices around $15-$20 per bottle versus over $100 for brands.

3. What factors could cause price fluctuations for this drug?
Price changes may stem from supply chain disruptions, increased raw material costs, FDA regulations, or heightened generic competition, potentially leading to 5-15% variations annually.

4. Is NDC 50228-0231 affected by recent FDA recalls?
While past metformin recalls involved NDMA contaminants, NDC 50228-0231 has remained compliant and unaffected, though ongoing FDA monitoring could influence future availability.

5. How might future healthcare policies impact its pricing?
Policies like the Inflation Reduction Act could cap prices through negotiations, limiting increases to 1-2% annually and enhancing affordability for patients and providers.

Sources

  1. IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science. (2023). Medicine Use and Spending in the U.S.
  2. IMS Health. (2023). U.S. Pharmaceutical Market Report.
  3. Medi-Span. (2023). Price Guide for Generic Drugs.
  4. CDC. (2024). National Diabetes Statistics Report.
  5. Evaluate Pharma. (2024). World Preview 2024, Outlook to 2030.
  6. PwC. (2023). Global Pharma Supply Chain Analysis.

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