UNSPSC 51173202: Aloe/cascara sagrada

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 GA204. This VA Drug Class (GA204) classifies this compound as belonging to the group STIMULANT LAXATIVES.

UNSPSC 51173202 Aloe/cascara sagrada is a Commodity code that maps nominally to botanical laxative ingredients but shows little alignment with recent state and local procurement activity under the code. The three most recent opportunities tagged to this code involve offender drug testing services (Collin County), direct-to-manufacturer prescription programs (Texas HHS Commission), and generic multi-source pharmaceuticals and OTC products (Minnesota Multistate Cooperative Purchasing Alliance). None of these solicitations directly procure aloe or cascara sagrada products; the code assignment appears to reflect misclassification in the state and local procurement systems. The Collin County Community Supervision and Corrections Department RFP seeks specimen collection and drug testing services involving immunoassay screening and confirmation methodologies, not botanical pharmaceuticals. The Texas HHS RFI explores pharmacy benefit management strategies for direct contracting with manufacturers, and the MMCAP RFP covers generic pharmaceuticals and OTC products through established wholesaler channels (AmerisourceBergen/Cencora, Cardinal Health, and Morris & Dickson).

Recent activity under this code is geographically scattered across Texas, Minnesota, and Oregon, but the mismatch between code nomenclature and actual procurement scope limits actionability. The Collin County offender testing RFP (due July 23, 2026, with an estimated contract value of $600,000 and a two-year term) represents the only solicitation with clear scope definition, though it concerns testing services rather than botanical ingredients. The MMCAP generic pharmaceuticals RFP (due March 26, 2026) serves multiple state and local entities but addresses mass-market OTC and generic drug categories rather than specialized botanical products. Firms pursuing work in pharmaceutical or OTC product supply should verify code assignment and scope alignment in source documents before responding, as this code's recent activity does not reflect substantive demand for aloe or cascara sagrada specifically.