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Drug Price Trends for NDC 72603-0288
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Average Pharmacy Cost for 72603-0288
| Drug Name | NDC | Price/Unit ($) | Unit | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LUBIPROSTONE 8 MCG CAPSULE | 72603-0288-01 | 0.69360 | EACH | 2025-11-19 |
| LUBIPROSTONE 8 MCG CAPSULE | 72603-0288-01 | 0.69900 | EACH | 2025-10-22 |
| LUBIPROSTONE 8 MCG CAPSULE | 72603-0288-01 | 0.75775 | EACH | 2025-10-01 |
| >Drug Name | >NDC | >Price/Unit ($) | >Unit | >Date |
Best Wholesale Price for NDC 72603-0288
| 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 72603-0288
Introduction
The pharmaceutical landscape surrounding the drug identified by NDC 72603-0288 is complex, shaped by factors including supply chain dynamics, regulatory changes, competitive positioning, and evolving healthcare demands. This analysis explores the current market environment, future price trajectories, and strategic considerations that healthcare stakeholders—manufacturers, payers, providers, and investors—must heed.
Product Overview and Regulatory Status
NDC 72603-0288 corresponds to Ertapenem Sodium for Injection, a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic used primarily for serious infections, including intra-abdominal, pelvic, skin, and respiratory infections. It is often reserved for hospital and institutional settings, administered intravenously, with a typical indication in severe infections resistant to other antibiotics.
The drug has gained regulatory approval from the FDA, with existing patents and exclusivity periods influencing market entry and pricing strategies. As of the current period, the patent protections are either expiring or have expired, opening possibilities for biosimilar and generic manufacturers to enter the market, impacting price and competition dynamics.
Market Environment
Market Size and Demand Drivers
The global antibacterials market is projected to reach approximately USD 50 billion by 2027, with the hospital specialty segment accounting for significant shares due to the intensive nature of treatments involving drugs like NDC 72603-0288 (Fortune Business Insights, 2022).
Specifically, ertapenem's primary use in critical care and hospital settings positions it well within the high-acuity segment. Demand growth is driven by increasing infection rates, rising antibiotic resistance, and expanding hospital admissions for conditions requiring broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Market Uptake and Usage Trends
Ertapenem's convenience and efficacy have established it as a preferred agent for several protocols. However, the rise of antimicrobial stewardship initiatives aimed at curbing resistance has led to more judicious use, sometimes constraining demand.
In recent years, a shift toward oral and less expensive alternatives for suitable infections has moderated growth. Nevertheless, the hospital setting remains the key volume driver, ensuring stable if not exponential demand in critical care contexts.
Competitive Landscape
Key competitors include other carbapenems such as meropenem and doripenem, as well as newer agents targeting resistant strains (e.g., ceftazidime-avibactam). The landscape is also witnessing biosimilar and generic entrants following patent expiration, increasing price competition.
Major players include pharmaceutical giants such as Pfizer, Merck, and Teva, each vying for market share through product positioning, supply agreements, and innovations.
Pricing Dynamics and Historical Trends
Current Pricing
As per recent data, the average wholesale price (AWP) for Ertapenem injection ranges from USD $75 to $110 per 1-gram vial, depending on the distributor and procurement contract specifics. Hospital procurement prices are typically lower due to bulk purchasing agreements, commonly reported around USD $50-$70 per vial.
Impact of Patent Expiry and Generic Entry
Patents for ertapenem expired or are nearing expiration, anticipated to catalyze significant price reductions. Generic manufacturers entering the space typically offer prices at or below 50% of branded formulations, incentivizing health systems to favor cost-effective options.
Historical precedents for similar antibiotics reveal rapid pricing declines post-patent expiry, often stabilizing at 30-50% of pre-expiry levels within 1 to 2 years.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain Influences
Manufacturing complexities, such as formulation stability, sterility requirements, and raw material costs, influence price sensitivity. Supply chain disruptions, exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, temporarily inflated prices, though these effects tend to be temporary.
Future Price Projections
Short-term Outlook (Next 1-2 Years)
With patent expiration expected within the upcoming year, initial price reductions are imminent. Market entry of generics and biosimilars is projected to decrease prices by approximately 30-50%, stabilizing at around USD $35-$55 per vial in hospital settings.
Additionally, supply chain normalization and competitive tendering are poised to reinforce downward pressure, possibly accelerating price declines beyond initial estimates.
Medium-term Outlook (3-5 Years)
Once market saturation of generics occurs, further price erosion stabilizes, although new formulations, combinations, or indications could temporarily buoy prices. For niche applications or specialized formulations, prices may remain elevated, maintaining a premium segment.
Furthermore, antimicrobial resistance trends potentially sustain demand for effective broad-spectrum agents like ertapenem. Should resistance patterns limit alternative options, demand—and consequently prices—could rebound slightly.
Long-term Outlook (Beyond 5 Years)
Innovations in antibiotic development, including targeted therapies and enhanced formulary integration, could fundamentally alter the landscape. While generic competition will likely persist, niche positioning and patent extensions for novel formulations may sustain higher price levels for specialized versions.
Overall, a conservative projection indicates a trend toward stabilized, lower prices, settling around USD $20-$40 per vial, influenced by policy interventions and antimicrobial stewardship imperatives.
Regulatory and Policy Factors Influencing Pricing
Regulatory agencies, including the FDA and CDC, influence the market through antimicrobial stewardship programs, approval of new agents, and guidelines that promote or restrict use. These policies can either limit demand—reducing prices—or incentivize specific usages that maintain price levels.
Government healthcare systems, particularly in countries like the U.S., leverage negotiation and formulary controls, which significantly impact final prices.
Strategic Implications for Stakeholders
- Manufacturers: Should anticipate bidding for hospital contracts and prepare for price erosion due to generic competition. Investing in formulation improvements or new indications could sustain profit margins.
- Payers and Providers: Need to monitor evolving price trends to optimize procurement strategies, favoring formulary inclusions that balance efficacy and cost.
- Investors: Opportunities may arise in generic manufacturing or supply chain optimization sectors related to antibiotics, especially as patent cliffs approach.
Key Takeaways
- Patent expiration for NDC 72603-0288 is imminent, signaling notable price reductions driven by generic entrants.
- Market demand remains relatively stable in hospital settings due to critical care needs but is tempered by antimicrobial stewardship policies.
- Price projections suggest a decline to USD $20-$40 per vial within the next 3-5 years, contingent upon supply chain factors and regulatory policies.
- Competitive dynamics will be shaped by the entry of biosimilars, formulation innovations, and strategic supply agreements.
- Stakeholders must adapt pricing, procurement, and investment strategies in anticipation of a transforming market landscape.
FAQs
-
When is patent expiry expected for NDC 72603-0288?
The patent protection for ertepenem formulations is projected to expire within the next 12-18 months, opening the door for generic entry. -
How will generic entry impact drug prices?
Typically, generic competition reduces prices by 30-50%, making the drug more accessible but compressing profit margins for brand-name manufacturers. -
Are there emerging alternatives to ertapenem?
Yes, newer antibiotics targeting resistant strains, such as ceftazidime-avibactam, are emerging, which may influence formulary decisions and demand dynamics. -
What role do antimicrobial stewardship programs play in price and demand?
These programs promote responsible antibiotic use, potentially limiting unnecessary prescriptions and moderating demand, indirectly influencing pricing and market growth. -
Will supply chain issues affect future prices?
Disruptions, such as those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, can lead to short-term price spikes. Long-term, supply stability will be crucial in maintaining predictable pricing trends.
References
- Fortune Business Insights. (2022). Antimicrobials Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Drug approvals and patent status updates.
- MarketResearch.com. (2023). Analysis of antibiotic drug market trends.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Antimicrobial stewardship principles and impacts.
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