UNSPSC 51191923: Tretinoin

This classification denotes a retinoic acid agent with the molecular formula C20H28O2, a preparation that US FDA regulates as an active ingredient or moiety under Unique Ingredient Identifier 5688UTC01R, chemically known as 3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexenyl)-nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoic acid but generally known as retinoic acid, which bears US NIH Compound Identifier 5538. European Medicines Agency schedules Retinoic acid in its eXtended EudraVigilance Medicinal Product Dictionary or XEVMPD under Index SUB20680.

UNSPSC 51191923 Tretinoin, a Commodity code, encompasses pharmaceutical and chemical products procured by state and local governments for healthcare, institutional, and utility operations. Recent solicitations tagged to this code show a wide divergence in actual scope: while the code nominally identifies tretinoin (a topical retinoid), state and local buyers are currently soliciting generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products, and industrial chemicals including sodium bisulfite for water treatment. The issuing bodies span state-administered cooperative purchasing alliances, municipal utilities, and health systems. Scope of work under the code includes supply agreements for pharmaceutical distribution through authorized wholesalers, chemical supply contracts for water pollution control facilities, and multi-source product procurement with strict compliance requirements around Good Manufacturing Practices, Drug Supply Chain Security Act certification, and FDA approval.

Geographic activity centers on Minnesota and Connecticut based on recent postings, with the Minnesota Multistate Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (MMCAP) administering a statewide RFP for generic pharmaceuticals and OTC products (response due March 26, 2026) and the City of Meriden soliciting sodium bisulfite supply under IFB B027-15 (response due July 29, 2026). The MMCAP opportunity targets multiple participating state and local facilities including Oregon, requiring vendors to maintain relationships with at least two of three authorized wholesalers (AmerisourceBergen/Cencora, Cardinal Health, Morris & Dickson) and demonstrate pricing flexibility through flat-price, net-price, or WAC-minus structures. Vendors must carry commercial general liability of $5 million per occurrence, network security liability of $2 million, and professional liability of $2 million, with evaluation weighted heavily toward price competitiveness (75 percent) and compliance with administrative data formats. The code shows limited recent activity; the mismatch between the nominal tretinoin product and the actual pharmaceutical and chemical supply work currently being bought suggests this code captures a small portion of state and local pharmaceutical and chemical procurement.