UNSPSC 85121900: Pharmacists

In this classification, this class consists of comprehensive services required to be a specific type of pharmacist

UNSPSC 85121900 Pharmacists is a Class code encompassing pharmacy services and medication management procurement by state and local health agencies, correctional systems, and healthcare networks. State and local governments procure comprehensive pharmacy services across four primary service lines: institutional medication dispensing and management in long-term care, correctional, and developmental facilities; specialty pharmacy and compound medication services for complex patient populations; pharmacy benefit management and third-party administration for employee health plans and Medicaid programs; and emergency medication supplies and EMS pharmaceutical distribution. Representative recent solicitations include the State of Utah Department of Health and Human Services RFP MK27-105 for WIC Pharmacy Services (proposals due November 12, 2026), which requires statewide nutritional product fulfillment with individualized labeling, five-business-day delivery standards, and fixed pricing for one year; Dane County's RFP for pharmaceutical services at Badger Prairie Health Care Center (proposals due October 22, 2026), a long-term care facility procurement applying local-vendor preference and requiring daily medication deliveries with one-hour stat order fulfillment; and the Washington State Department of Corrections RFQ for parenteral products and services to eight correctional facilities (bids due October 7, 2026), which covers TPN, PPN, and IV solutions with 24-hour delivery standards and multiple-award structure. The mix of issuing bodies spans state health departments and developmental services agencies (Utah, California, Illinois), county health systems and correctional facilities (Dane County, Washington DOC, Hall County Georgia, Ventura County), municipal fire departments (City of Tucson, City of South Fulton), and regional health plans (Nevada Health Authority, IEHP, DeKalb Public Health).

Procurement activity concentrates in California, Utah, Georgia, Washington, Illinois, Florida, and Nevada, with recent RFPs and RFQs also posted by county systems in Wisconsin, Arizona, Colorado, and South Carolina. The code sees continuous activity across health-related procurement tiers—from WIC nutrition services and primary care medication dispensing (DeKalb Public Health RFQs in Georgia with responses due July 27 and May 15, 2026) to specialized services including IM clozapine compounding (California DSH RFI 26-73021-000, responses due September 30, 2026) and pharmacy benefit manager administration for Medicaid populations (Nevada Health Authority RFI 41NHA-S3881, responses due May 29, 2026). Solicitation types vary widely: traditional RFPs dominate for institutional pharmacy services and TPA arrangements, while RFQs and RFIs are common for specialty services and market-assessment activities. Contract terms typically span one to five years with single-award or multiple-award structures. Performance requirements consistently emphasize rapid turnaround (24–48 hours standard, stat orders within one hour), compliance with state pharmacy licensure and DEA controlled-substance handling, HIPAA Business Associate agreements, and professional liability insurance ranging from $1 million to $2 million per occurrence. Pricing structures combine fixed rates (often guaranteed for one year), cost-plus models using wholesale acquisition cost or average wholesale price methodologies, and fee-for-service arrangements. Set-asides appear sporadically—Washington DOC encourages SBE, MBE, WBE, and VBE participation; California DVBE and small-business preferences are specified in the Fresno Veterans Home IFB; and Pinellas County offers SBE preference in informal quotes.