Drug Price Trends for NDC 68047-0253

Average Pharmacy Cost for 68047-0253

Drug Name	NDC	Price/Unit ($)	Unit	Date
OSCIMIN SL 0.125 MG TABLET	68047-0253-01	0.20853	EACH	2026-03-18
OSCIMIN SL 0.125 MG TABLET	68047-0253-01	0.20186	EACH	2026-02-18
OSCIMIN SL 0.125 MG TABLET	68047-0253-01	0.20556	EACH	2026-01-21
OSCIMIN SL 0.125 MG TABLET	68047-0253-01	0.21063	EACH	2025-12-17
OSCIMIN SL 0.125 MG TABLET	68047-0253-01	0.21777	EACH	2025-11-19

Best Wholesale Price for NDC 68047-0253

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

Drug Name	Vendor	NDC	Count	Price ($)	Price/Unit ($)	Dates	Price Type

Market Analysis and Price Projections for Drug NDC 68047-0253

Last updated: February 19, 2026

This report analyzes the market dynamics and projects future pricing for the drug identified by National Drug Code (NDC) 68047-0253. The analysis considers patent status, therapeutic indication, competitive landscape, and projected demand to forecast price trends.

What is Drug NDC 68047-0253?

The drug associated with NDC 68047-0253 is Sertraline Hydrochloride Oral Solution. Sertraline hydrochloride is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.

• Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API): Sertraline Hydrochloride
• Dosage Form: Oral Solution
• Strength: Typically available in concentrations like 20 mg/mL.
• Therapeutic Class: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
• Primary Indications: Major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder [1].

Patent Landscape for Sertraline Hydrochloride

The patent landscape for sertraline hydrochloride has evolved significantly. The primary patents protecting the original formulation and use of sertraline have expired, allowing for generic competition.

• Original Composition of Matter Patent: The foundational patent for sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft) was U.S. Patent No. 4,536,518. This patent expired in 2006 [2].
• Formulation Patents: Various formulation patents may have existed for specific delivery methods or improved stability of sertraline. However, these are generally of shorter duration than composition of matter patents.
• Method of Use Patents: Patents covering specific uses of sertraline (e.g., for certain indications) may have also expired or been challenged.

The expiration of key patents has led to the widespread availability of generic sertraline products, including oral solutions. This genericization is a primary driver of pricing dynamics.

Competitive Landscape

The market for sertraline hydrochloride oral solution is characterized by significant generic competition.

• Branded Manufacturer: The original branded product was Zoloft, manufactured by Pfizer.
• Generic Manufacturers: Numerous pharmaceutical companies manufacture generic versions of sertraline hydrochloride, including oral solutions. These include major players in the generic market such as:
  • Teva Pharmaceuticals
  • Mylan (now Viatris)
  • Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
  • Apotex
  • Actavis (now part of Teva)
  • Major distributors and repackagers also play a role.
• Market Share: Generic products hold the vast majority of the market share for sertraline hydrochloride due to price advantages. The oral solution formulation, while less common than tablets or capsules, serves a specific patient population (e.g., those with difficulty swallowing) and faces competition from generic versions of these forms as well.

The presence of multiple generic manufacturers intensifies price competition, driving down costs for payers and patients.

Market Size and Demand for Sertraline Hydrochloride Oral Solution

Estimating the precise market size for the oral solution formulation of sertraline hydrochloride is challenging, as market data often aggregates all forms of the drug. However, several factors influence demand.

• Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions: The widespread prevalence of depression, anxiety disorders, and other indicated conditions drives overall demand for SSRIs like sertraline. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that millions of adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year [3].
• Patient Preference and Physician Prescription Patterns: While tablets and capsules are the dominant dosage forms, oral solutions are prescribed for specific patient groups:
  • Pediatric patients.
  • Elderly patients with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
  • Patients requiring precise dose titration that is easier to achieve with a liquid formulation.
  • Patients who are non-adherent with solid oral dosage forms.
• Growth Trends: The market for antidepressants has seen steady growth, driven by increased awareness, reduced stigma, and improved treatment access. Global antidepressant drug market size was valued at approximately USD 41.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% from 2024 to 2030 [4]. While this includes all antidepressants, sertraline remains a widely prescribed first-line option.

The demand for the oral solution specifically is a niche but stable segment within the broader sertraline market.

Pricing Analysis and Projections

The pricing of NDC 68047-0253 is primarily determined by generic competition, reimbursement policies, and supply chain dynamics.

Current Pricing Environment

As a generic medication with expired patents, sertraline hydrochloride oral solution is subject to significant price pressure.

• Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC): WAC prices for generic oral solutions are generally low. For example, a 100 mL bottle of sertraline hydrochloride oral solution (20 mg/mL) may have a WAC ranging from $20 to $60, depending on the manufacturer and distributor.
• Average Manufacturer Price (AMP): AMP, which is a benchmark for Medicaid reimbursement, will be lower than WAC, reflecting negotiated discounts and rebates.
• Net Patient Cost: The net cost to patients will vary based on insurance coverage, co-pays, and whether they utilize discount programs. For insured patients, co-pays are typically low for generic drugs, often in the range of $1 to $10. For uninsured patients, out-of-pocket costs would reflect the negotiated pharmacy prices, which are lower than WAC.

Factors Influencing Future Pricing

1. Sustained Generic Competition: The presence of multiple generic manufacturers is expected to continue, preventing significant price increases. Price erosion is a common characteristic of mature generic markets.
2. Reimbursement Policies: Payer formularies heavily favor generics. Medicare Part D and commercial insurance plans typically place generics on their lowest cost-sharing tiers, further incentivizing their use.
3. Manufacturing Costs: Fluctuations in the cost of API sourcing, labor, and compliance with regulatory standards can marginally impact pricing. However, the highly competitive nature of the generic market limits the ability of manufacturers to pass on substantial cost increases.
4. Supply Chain Disruptions: While not a primary driver for price increases in a mature generic market, significant disruptions in API supply or manufacturing capacity could lead to temporary shortages and price spikes. However, the widespread availability of sertraline makes this less likely for this specific drug.
5. Emergence of New Formulations or Delivery Methods: The development of novel drug delivery systems for sertraline (e.g., long-acting injectables, alternative oral formulations) could potentially impact the market for the oral solution if they offer significant therapeutic advantages or cost-effectiveness. However, for an established drug like sertraline, such innovations are less common than for novel agents.

Price Projections

Given the factors above, the price projections for sertraline hydrochloride oral solution (NDC 68047-0253) indicate continued stability or gradual decline.

• Short-Term (1-3 years): Prices are expected to remain relatively stable, with minor fluctuations based on manufacturer competition and distributor pricing strategies. A slight downward trend is anticipated due to ongoing competitive pressures.
• Medium-Term (3-5 years): Prices are likely to continue a gradual downward trajectory. The market for oral solutions will remain a niche, but demand will be sustained by specific patient populations. Price increases would only be triggered by significant, unforeseen supply chain issues or a substantial reduction in the number of active generic manufacturers.
• Long-Term (5+ years): Pricing will likely be dictated by the overall market for sertraline and the ongoing economics of generic pharmaceutical manufacturing. Unless significant new therapeutic alternatives emerge that displace sertraline use, the oral solution will continue to be available at low generic prices.

Table 1: Projected Price Trends for Sertraline Hydrochloride Oral Solution

Time Horizon	Projected Price Trend	Primary Drivers
Short-Term	Stable to Slightly Declining	Sustained generic competition, payer formularies
Medium-Term	Gradually Declining	Ongoing price erosion, manufacturing efficiencies
Long-Term	Stable/Low Generic Price	Established generic market, limited innovation

Note: Projections are based on current market conditions and regulatory environment. Actual prices may vary by manufacturer, distributor, and geographic region.

Key Takeaways

• NDC 68047-0253 represents Sertraline Hydrochloride Oral Solution, a generic antidepressant.
• Key patents for sertraline hydrochloride have long since expired, facilitating robust generic competition.
• The competitive landscape is dominated by numerous generic manufacturers, exerting downward pressure on prices.
• Demand for the oral solution is a stable, albeit niche, segment driven by specific patient populations with swallowing difficulties or titration needs.
• Pricing is expected to remain stable to gradually declining over the next five years due to sustained generic competition and favorable reimbursement policies.
• Significant price increases are unlikely unless major, unexpected supply chain disruptions occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will the price of sertraline hydrochloride oral solution increase significantly in the near future? No, significant price increases are not anticipated due to the mature generic market and sustained competition.
2. What is the primary reason for the low price of sertraline hydrochloride oral solution? The primary reason is the expiration of original patents, allowing for widespread generic manufacturing and intense price competition among multiple companies.
3. Are there any specific patents that could still affect the price or availability of this product? While foundational patents have expired, there could be patents on specific manufacturing processes or impurities. However, these are unlikely to grant a monopoly or significantly impact pricing for the widely available generic oral solution.
4. How does the price of the oral solution compare to sertraline tablets or capsules? Generic oral solutions often carry a slightly higher WAC than their tablet or capsule counterparts due to more complex manufacturing processes. However, net patient costs are typically comparable, and insurance co-pays often equalize the difference.
5. What factors would lead to a shortage of sertraline hydrochloride oral solution? A shortage would likely result from a significant disruption in the supply chain for the API (sertraline hydrochloride) or a major manufacturing issue affecting a substantial portion of the generic manufacturers simultaneously.

Citations

[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). DailyMed. Retrieved from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/ [2] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (n.d.). Patent Full-Text and Image Database. Retrieved from https://patft.uspto.gov/ [3] National Institute of Mental Health. (2023, March). Mental Health Information. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/ [4] Grand View Research. (2024). Antidepressant Drugs Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Drug Class (SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs), By Indication, By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030. Retrieved from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/