Latest NADAC Price Changes for Pharmacies
By Dylan Sanson, Pharmacist & Pharmacy Manager · Published
NADAC prices are updated every Wednesday by CMS, and even small changes can impact your pharmacy's bottom line. Here's what pharmacists should know about staying on top of weekly price movements.
Why Do Weekly NADAC Changes Matter?
A 5% increase on a high-volume generic you dispense 500 times a month can cost you hundreds of dollars if your reimbursement rates lag behind. Conversely, catching a price drop early lets you negotiate better terms or adjust your purchasing strategy.
How Do You Monitor NADAC Price Changes?
- Use a NADAC lookup tool to search your most-dispensed drugs weekly
- Save drugs to your watchlist and enable price change alerts with NADAC Lookup Pro ($29/mo)
- Compare price trends over time with full price history charts
- Review the effective date on each NADAC entry to confirm you're seeing the latest data
What Should You Do When Prices Change?
Price increase? Check if your PBM reimbursement has adjusted. If not, flag the drug for a reimbursement appeal. Consider buying ahead if you expect continued increases.
Price decrease? Ensure your wholesaler is passing along savings. Look for opportunities to stock up at the lower cost.