UNSPSC 51162022: Ephedrine/guaifenesin/theophylline

This classification denotes a combination drug defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in its (VA's) National Drug File (NDF), which falls under VA Drug Class RE109. This VA Drug Class (RE109) classifies this compound as belonging to the group ANTIASTHMA, OTHER.

UNSPSC 51162022 Ephedrine/guaifenesin/theophylline is a Commodity code that nominally designates combination respiratory medications, but the recent state and local opportunities posted under it do not align with this pharmaceutical classification. Instead, issuing bodies are using the code to solicit naloxone kits, on-site pharmacy services, direct-to-manufacturer prescription programs, and generic multi-source pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter products — a scope substantially broader than the code's stated name. The actual procurement activity under this code encompasses emergency-response medications (naloxone for opioid overdose), comprehensive pharmacy benefit administration for government employee health plans, strategic pharmacy procurement vehicles for multi-state cooperative purchasing, and manufacturer relationships for generic and OTC product distribution. State and local issuing bodies using this code include county health departments (Seminole County, Florida), county government health benefit administrators (Hall County, Georgia), state health and human services agencies (Texas HHS Commission), and multi-state cooperative purchasing alliances (Minnesota Multistate Cooperative Purchasing Alliance serving state and local governments across multiple jurisdictions).

Recent activity spans Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Minnesota, with the Minnesota cooperative vehicle extending to participating states including Oregon. Representative solicitations include Seminole County's IFB for 1,900 units of naloxone and 800 safe drug deactivation systems annually with a July 26, 2023 response deadline; Hall County's RFQ/P #47-010 for on-site pharmacy services at the county family health center clinic due June 4, 2026, using an 80/20 scoring structure weighted toward technical qualifications; Texas HHS Commission's RFI on direct-to-manufacturer prescription programs posted April 3, 2026, as a preliminary market-intelligence effort; and MMCAP's RFP for generic multi-source pharmaceuticals and OTC products distributed through three authorized wholesalers, due March 26, 2026, with award effective July 1, 2026. The code shows active procurement across health benefit administration, emergency response, and cooperative purchasing, though the mismatch between the code's nominal scope and the actual work being bought signals potential classification drift in the state and local procurement ecosystem.