UNSPSC 51173223: Cascara/mineral oil

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 GA209. This VA Drug Class (GA209) classifies this compound as belonging to the group LAXATIVES, OTHER.

UNSPSC 51173223 Cascara/mineral oil (Commodity) covers laxative and pharmaceutical adjunct products that state and local governments procure for correctional health services, pharmacy benefit programs, and institutional medical supply chains. Recent solicitations show state and local buyers sourcing these products through two distinct procurement paths: direct pharmaceutical supply contracts managed via cooperative purchasing alliances, and specialized specimen-collection and drug-testing services that may incorporate testing reagents or related pharmaceutical supplies. The code's actual activity reflects state agencies and county correctional systems acquiring pharmaceutical products—often in multi-source generic formulations—through established wholesaler distribution networks or integrated service contracts rather than standalone chemical procurement.

State agencies and cooperative purchasing alliances dominate recent activity under this code. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued an RFI in April 2026 seeking vendor capabilities for a direct-to-manufacturer prescription program, while the Minnesota Multistate Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (MMCAP), administered by the Minnesota Department of Administration, posted an RFP on January 20, 2026 (due March 26, 2026) for generic multi-source pharmaceuticals and OTC products distributed through three authorized wholesalers—AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (Cencora), Cardinal Health, and Morris & Dickson—with participation from Oregon and other member states. Collin County Community Supervision and Corrections Department in Texas released RFP 2026-327 on July 9, 2026 (due July 23, 2026) for offender specimen collection and drug testing services, estimated at $600,000 annually with a two-year initial term and optional three-year renewals, encompassing lab-based screening and confirmation testing across two collection sites. Geographic activity clusters in Texas and the upper Midwest, with cooperative purchasing vehicles extending scope across multiple states.