UNSPSC 51181526: Epalrestat

This classification denotes an aldose reductase inhibitor with the molecular formula C15H13NO3S2, a preparation that US FDA regulates as an active ingredient or moiety under Unique Ingredient Identifier 424DV0807X, chemically known as 5-((z,e)-beta-methylcinnamylidene)-4-oxo-2-thioxo-3-thiazolidineacetic acid but generally known as epalrestat, which bears US NIH Compound Identifier 1549120. European Medicines Agency schedules Epalrestat in its eXtended EudraVigilance Medicinal Product Dictionary or XEVMPD under Index SUB06557MIG.

UNSPSC 51181526 Epalrestat is a Commodity code covering pharmaceutical products supplied through multistate cooperative purchasing arrangements and state health-system procurement channels. The Minnesota Multistate Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (MMCAP), administered by the Minnesota Department of Administration's Office of State Procurement, uses this code and related commodity classifications to procure generic pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter products for distribution across participating state and local government facilities. State and local buyers in this space source products through authorized pharmaceutical wholesalers—AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (Cencora), Cardinal Health, and Morris & Dickson Co., LLC—and require vendors to meet stringent compliance standards including current Good Manufacturing Practices certification and Drug Supply Chain Security Act adherence. Manufacturers must maintain contractual relationships with at least two of the three authorized wholesalers, submit pricing in multiple formats (fixed price, net price variants, or WAC-minus structures), and carry comprehensive insurance including commercial general liability of $5,000,000 per occurrence and network security liability of $2,000,000.

MMCAP's RFP S1070000015802, posted January 20, 2026 with proposals due March 26, 2026, represents the recent solicitation activity under this code. The procurement spans Minnesota and Oregon, covering multi-year contracts effective July 1, 2026 with optional extensions. Pricing competitiveness accounts for 75 percent of the evaluation weight, with the remaining 25 percent distributed across fixed pricing structure (10 percent), administrative compliance (5 percent), EDI capability (5 percent), and acceptance of a 3 percent administrative fee (5 percent). Products must be available in the marketplace by May 15, 2026 and carry expiration dates of at least one year from manufacture with a minimum six-month shelf life. No specific dollar amounts or set-aside designations are disclosed in the available documentation, though awarded vendors should anticipate performance penalties of $200 to $1,500 per violation for late reporting, missed onboarding timelines, or improper class-of-trade denials.