What Day Does NADAC Update?
NADAC prices are released every Wednesday. This consistent weekly schedule allows pharmacies, healthcare organizations, and researchers to plan their pricing reviews and purchasing decisions accordingly.
The update process follows this typical timeline:
- Throughout the week: Pharmacies submit survey responses with actual acquisition costs
- Monday–Tuesday: Myers and Stauffer LC processes and analyzes the data
- Wednesday: New NADAC prices are published and made publicly available
The effective date listed on each NADAC entry indicates when that particular price became active, allowing users to track historical pricing changes over time.
Why Do NADAC Prices Change Weekly?
NADAC prices fluctuate from week to week due to various market factors that affect the pharmaceutical supply chain. Understanding these factors helps pharmacies anticipate and respond to price changes.
Common Reasons for Price Changes
- Manufacturer price adjustments: Drug manufacturers may raise or lower wholesale prices based on production costs, market demand, or competitive pressures
- Generic competition: When new generic versions enter the market, prices often decrease significantly
- Supply chain disruptions: Shortages or manufacturing issues can cause temporary price spikes
- Seasonal demand: Some medications experience price fluctuations based on seasonal usage patterns
- Contract negotiations: Large-scale purchasing agreements between manufacturers and wholesalers can shift market prices
Because NADAC is based on actual pharmacy invoices, it reflects these real-world market dynamics more accurately than other pricing benchmarks like AWP or WAC.
How Pharmacies Use Weekly NADAC Updates
Pharmacy professionals rely on weekly NADAC updates for critical business decisions. Here's how the data is typically used:
Purchasing Decisions
Pharmacies compare their wholesaler invoices against NADAC to ensure they're receiving competitive pricing. Significant deviations may indicate opportunities to negotiate better rates or switch suppliers.
Reimbursement Verification
Many state Medicaid programs use NADAC as the basis for pharmacy reimbursement. Pharmacies monitor weekly updates to ensure reimbursements align with current acquisition costs and identify potential underwater claims.
Margin Analysis
By tracking NADAC trends, pharmacies can analyze profit margins on specific drugs and adjust their dispensing practices or negotiate with payers when margins become unsustainable.
Formulary Management
Healthcare organizations use NADAC data to make informed formulary decisions, selecting therapeutically equivalent options that offer better value.
NADAC Update FAQs
What time on Wednesday does NADAC update?
NADAC data is typically published by CMS during regular business hours on Wednesday. The exact time may vary, but new data is usually available by early afternoon Eastern Time.
Are NADAC updates ever delayed?
While rare, updates may be delayed due to federal holidays or technical issues. CMS typically announces any significant delays through official channels.
How far back does NADAC historical data go?
NADAC data has been collected since 2013. Historical files are available through CMS and can be useful for analyzing long-term pricing trends.
Do all drugs have NADAC prices?
No, not all drugs have NADAC prices. NADAC only includes drugs that are dispensed by retail community pharmacies and have sufficient survey data. Some specialty or limited-distribution drugs may not be included.
What's the difference between NADAC and other pricing benchmarks?
NADAC reflects actual pharmacy acquisition costs, while AWP (Average Wholesale Price) and WAC (Wholesale Acquisition Cost) are manufacturer-set prices. Learn more on our What Is NADAC page.
Can I get alerts when NADAC prices change?
Yes! With a free account on nadaclookup.com, you can save drugs to your watchlist and receive notifications when prices change significantly.