Last updated: July 27, 2025
Understanding the National Drug Code (NDC)
Before diving into the market analysis and price projections for the drug with the NDC 51672-4172, it is crucial to understand what an NDC is. The National Drug Code (NDC) is a unique identifier assigned to all drugs in commercial distribution in the United States. It is included on the labeling of the drug and is essential for tracking and managing pharmaceuticals[5].
Drug Identification
To analyze the market and price projections for a specific drug, one must first identify the drug associated with the NDC 51672-4172. However, the provided sources do not specify the drug name directly linked to this NDC. Typically, this information can be found through databases such as DrugPatentWatch or the FDA's drug listing files.
Market Trends in Pharmaceutical Pricing
Overall Pharmaceutical Market Outlook
The pharmaceutical market is expected to see significant changes in 2025. According to the Vizient Pharmacy Market Outlook, the overall drug price inflation rate for 2025 is projected to be 0.00%, indicating a stable pricing environment for many drugs[2].
Impact of Advanced Therapies
Advanced therapies, such as gene therapies and immunotherapies, are transforming the healthcare landscape. For instance, gene therapies, despite their high costs (e.g., a recent approval of a $4.25 million gene therapy), are expected to play a crucial role in treating chronic diseases. However, these therapies do not directly impact the pricing of drugs like those identified by NDC 51672-4172 unless they are part of the same therapeutic class or market segment[2].
Specific Market Segments
In the context of specific market segments, such as the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) market, there is a significant shift towards immunotherapies and targeted therapies. Drugs like Keytruda, Opdivo, and Tecentriq are projected to achieve blockbuster status, but these are not directly related to the NDC in question unless the drug falls within a similar therapeutic category[3].
Price Projections for Similar Drugs
To make an educated guess about the price projections for the drug with NDC 51672-4172, we can look at price trends for similar drugs.
Example: Dapsone 5% Gel
For example, the price of Dapsone 5% Gel (NDC 51672-1387) has shown some variability over recent months. Prices per unit have ranged from $1.37 to $1.87 per gram, depending on the package size and date[1].
Example: Azelaic Acid 15% Gel
Another example is Azelaic Acid 15% Gel (NDC 51672-1389), which has seen prices per unit ranging from $0.43 to $0.72 per gram over the same period[4].
Factors Influencing Price Projections
Several factors can influence the price projections of a drug:
Regulatory Changes
The FDA's proposed rule to standardize NDCs to a 12-digit format could impact labeling and tracking costs, but this is more about administrative efficiency than direct price impact[5].
Market Competition
The presence of generic alternatives can significantly reduce the prices of branded drugs. For instance, the patent expiration of blockbuster drugs like Tarceva and Alimta has led to a decline in their sales as generics enter the market[3].
Therapeutic Class and Demand
Drugs in high-demand therapeutic classes, such as immunotherapies and targeted therapies, tend to have higher prices due to their efficacy and market demand.
Price Projection Analysis
Given the lack of specific data on the drug associated with NDC 51672-4172, we can only make general observations:
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Stability in Pricing: If the drug is not part of a highly competitive or rapidly evolving therapeutic class, it is likely to see stable pricing similar to the overall market projection of 0.00% inflation rate[2].
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Impact of Generics: If the drug has generic alternatives, prices may decrease as generics gain market share[3].
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Therapeutic Class: The price will be influenced by the drug's therapeutic class and its position within that market. High-demand classes tend to have higher prices.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding NDC: The NDC is crucial for identifying and tracking drugs.
- Market Stability: The overall pharmaceutical market is expected to see stable pricing in 2025.
- Therapeutic Trends: Advanced therapies are changing the market landscape, but their impact on specific drugs depends on the therapeutic class.
- Regulatory Changes: Standardization of NDCs could improve administrative efficiency but may not directly impact prices.
- Market Competition: Generic alternatives significantly influence drug prices.
FAQs
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What is the National Drug Code (NDC)?
- The NDC is a unique identifier assigned to all drugs in commercial distribution in the United States.
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How do regulatory changes affect drug pricing?
- Regulatory changes, such as the standardization of NDCs, can impact administrative costs and efficiency but typically do not directly affect drug prices.
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What is the impact of generic drugs on market prices?
- Generic drugs can significantly reduce the prices of branded drugs as they enter the market.
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How do advanced therapies influence the pharmaceutical market?
- Advanced therapies, such as gene therapies and immunotherapies, are transforming the market by offering new treatment options, but their high costs can create financial challenges.
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What factors influence the price projections of a drug?
- Factors include market competition, therapeutic class, demand, and regulatory changes.
Sources
- DrugPatentWatch - Latest drug prices and trends for NDC 51672-1387.
- Vizient Inc. - Pharmacy Market Outlook Summer 2024.
- Drug Development & Delivery - NSCLC Market - Global Drug Forecast & Market Analysis to 2025.
- DrugPatentWatch - Latest pharmaceutical drug prices and trends for NDC 51672-1389.
- FDA - Future Format of the National Drug Code.