UNSPSC 51162505: Ammonium chloride/ipecac/tolu balsam

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 RE302. This VA Drug Class (RE302) classifies this compound as belonging to the group NON-OPIOID-CONTAINING ANTITUSSIVES/EXPECTORANTS.

UNSPSC 51162505 Ammonium chloride/ipecac/tolu balsam (Commodity) appears to show minimal alignment between the code's nominal scope and the state and local opportunities actually being procured under it. The recent solicitations tagged to this code reflect purchases of naloxone and safe drug deactivation systems, as well as generic multi-source pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter products through a cooperative purchasing vehicle — neither of which matches the historical pharmaceutical ingredients named in the code. The mismatch suggests that state and local procurement offices may be applying this code as a catchall for pharmaceutical and health-related commodities beyond its original definition, or that the code taxonomy itself is not being enforced consistently in practice.

The two most recent opportunities show activity from Seminole County, Florida and the Minnesota Multistate Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (MMCAP), administered by the Minnesota Department of Administration's Office of State Procurement, with MMCAP's RFP posted January 20, 2026 and due March 26, 2026, and Seminole County's IFB (IFB60459723LAS) posted June 30, 2026 with a response deadline of July 26, 2023. MMCAP's solicitation seeks manufacturers to supply generic pharmaceuticals and OTC products across participating state and local government facilities, including Oregon, through three authorized wholesalers, with awarded contracts effective July 1, 2026 and evaluation weighted heavily on price competitiveness (75 percent). Seminole County's procurement targets annual delivery of 1,900 units of naloxone and 800 safe drug deactivation systems on a quarterly schedule, with an initial two-year term and one-year renewal option. Neither solicitation identifies explicit set-aside designations, though both require E-Verify compliance and standard insurance coverage. Given the code's limited recent activity and clear scope mismatch, the category warrants close monitoring for clarification or reclassification by state and local taxonomy managers.