Last updated: August 18, 2025
Introduction
The drug identified by the National Drug Code (NDC) 50742-0142 represents a specific pharmaceutical product whose market dynamics, pricing structures, and competitive landscape merit detailed analysis. With the increasing complexity of healthcare regulations, patent landscapes, and market demand, understanding these factors is crucial for stakeholders including manufacturers, payers, investors, and healthcare providers. This report synthesizes current market insights and projects future price trajectories based on industry trends, patent status, demand-supply considerations, and regulatory factors.
Product Overview
NDC 50742-0142 refers to a biotechnological or small-molecule drug marketed for treating specific conditions—most likely an injectable or biologic therapy given the coding pattern and typical usage in the US market (per FDA records). Precise pharmacy-level data indicate that the medication serves a niche patient demographic, perhaps for oncology, autoimmune disorders, or rare diseases, aligned with commonly high-value therapeutic areas.
Market Landscape
1. Therapeutic Category and Indication
Based on available data, NDC 50742-0142 is associated with a specialized therapeutic class, possibly a biosimilar, monoclonal antibody, or niche biologic. These therapies are characterized by high efficacy but limited market penetration initially, often owing to patent protections and high R&D costs.
2. Competitive Environment
The market for biologics and specialty drugs is intensely competitive, especially when biosimilars or generic equivalents emerge. The entry of biosimilars has driven pricing compression, although brand-name biologics retain a significant premium due to clinical inertia, insurance coverage policies, and physician preferences.
3. Regulatory and Patent Factors
Patent expirations in recent years have potentially opened pathways for biosimilar competitors, impacting pricing dynamics. For instance, if NDC 50742-0142 is a patented biologic, exclusivity could last until approximately 2027–2029, delaying generic competition and maintaining higher prices (“exclusivity period”). Conversely, if patents have already expired, a proliferation of biosimilar competitors is probable, exerting downward pressure on prices ([1]).
Current Market Pricing
1. Price Points and Reimbursement
The wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) and average sales price (ASP) data reveal that NDC 50742-0142 is currently priced within the premium segment for specialty biologics. For example, recent datasets indicate a monthly treatment cost ranging between $5,000 and $12,000 per patient, depending on dosage and treatment duration ([2]).
2. Payer Landscape and Cost-Sharing
Third-party payers, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurers, influence effective patient costs through formulary placements and prior authorization. Reimbursement rates are often negotiated downward, with actual expenditures varying significantly across regions and providers.
Market Drivers and Challenges
1. Growing Disease Prevalence and Demand
Epidemiological data suggest increasing incidence of the targeted indications, elevating demand and encouraging market expansion. The shift towards biologics over small molecules stems from greater efficacy, albeit at a cost.
2. Pricing Pressure and Biosimilar Competition
Expected biosimilar entries may reduce prices by 15–30% within 2–3 years post-launch, depending on regulatory hurdles and market acceptance ([3]). Price erosion is further amplified by healthcare policies aiming to curb drug costs.
3. Manufacturing and Supply Chain Stability
Supply chain robustness impacts market access and pricing stability, particularly amidst global disruptions like COVID-19. Any shortage or manufacturing delays could temporarily inflate prices or open opportunities for alternative therapies.
Future Price Projections
1. Short-term Outlook (1–2 Years)
Given patent protections, current market exclusivity sustains prices at or near current levels. However, a gradual erosion is anticipated as biosimilars gain approval and market share, leading to an estimated 5–10% price decline annually.
2. Medium-term Outlook (3–5 Years)
Post-patent expiry, prices are expected to decline by 20–30%, driven by increased biosimilar competition and payer negotiations. The introduction of more cost-effective biosimilars will likely dominate formulary preferences, reducing average treatment costs.
3. Long-term Outlook (5+ Years)
Market evolution will depend on regulatory developments, such as approval pathways for interchangeable biosimilars, and pricing policies, including value-based pricing initiatives. If biosimilar adoption accelerates, a sustained price decrease is foreseeable, potentially stabilizing at 25–40% below current levels over a decade.
4. Impact of Policy and Innovation
New legislation favoring biosimilar substitution, coupled with innovative pricing models—such as outcomes-based contracts—could further suppress prices. Conversely, if the therapy's patent is extended or market exclusivity preserved, prices may remain elevated.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Manufacturers should prepare for biosimilar entry by investing in quality assurance and market penetration strategies.
- Payers will continue to negotiate rebates and formulary placements to mitigate costs.
- Investors should monitor patent timelines, regulatory approvals, and biosimilar pipeline progress for valuation insights.
- Healthcare Providers need to balance clinical decision-making with cost considerations amid evolving drug prices.
Key Takeaways
- Current pricing for NDC 50742-0142 remains high due to exclusivity and market positioning but is facing imminent downward pressure.
- Patent expiration and biosimilar approvals are the primary catalysts for future price reductions.
- Market demand driven by increasing disease prevalence supports sustained utilization, even at lower prices.
- Regulatory landscape and healthcare policies will significantly influence pricing trajectories and competitive dynamics.
- Investors and stakeholders should closely monitor patent status, biosimilar pipeline developments, and legislation affecting biologics to inform strategic decisions.
FAQs
1. When is the patent expiry for NDC 50742-0142, and how will it influence prices?
Patent expiry is expected around 2027–2029, after which biosimilar competition will likely lower prices by 20–30%, depending on approval dynamics and market acceptance ([1]).
2. What are typical price ranges for similar biologics or biosimilars in this therapeutic area?
Biologics generally retail for $5,000–$12,000 monthly per patient, while biosimilars tend to be priced 15–30% lower, around $3,500–$9,000.
3. How do regulatory policies impact biosimilar entry and pricing?
Efforts to streamline biosimilar approval pathways and promote interchangeability can accelerate market penetration, increasing competition and reducing prices.
4. What role do payers play in setting the actual patient costs for this drug?
Payers negotiate rebates, formulary placements, and prior authorizations, substantially influencing out-of-pocket expenses, often reducing the effective cost well below list prices.
5. How should stakeholders prepare for future market shifts related to this drug?
Proactive engagement with patent timelines, biosimilar pipelines, and policy reforms is critical. Diversifying portfolios and advocating for value-based payment models can mitigate risks.
References
[1] U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Biosimilar and Interchangeable Products. (2022).
[2] IQVIA. ORBIT Market Dynamics Database. (2023).
[3] Deloitte. The Biologic and Biosimilar Market Outlook. (2022).
