UNSPSC 85131701: Pharmaceutical research services

In this classification, this commodity consists of comprehensive services required to be a pharmaceutical research service

UNSPSC 85131701 Pharmaceutical research services (Commodity) spans technical pharmaceutical expertise, regulatory support, and health program administration that state and local governments buy to manage drug formularies, pharmacy networks, and inmate medical programs. Recent solicitations show state health agencies, county human resources divisions, and correctional facilities procuring specialized pharmaceutical consulting, pharmacy benefit management, inmate pharmacy services, and medical laboratory testing integrated with pharmacy operations. The work includes formulary development and maintenance, therapeutic alternative analysis, drug cost containment, specialty pharmacy management, compliance with state reimbursement systems, and expert testimony on pharmaceutical policy. Issuing bodies include state departments (California Department of Industrial Relations), county health and human resources divisions (Collier County), county correctional authorities (Muscogee County Prison), and regional health networks (San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services). A few jurisdictions appear multiple times—Collier County has posted at least two related opportunities in 2026 (pharmacy benefit management and employment physicals with drug testing), signaling sustained procurement activity in healthcare administration.

Recent activity concentrates in California, Florida, New York, Illinois, and Georgia. Representative opportunities include the California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Workers' Compensation RFP S26DWC001 for pharmaceutical consulting on the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (proposals due August 3, 2026, with a $332,000 initial contract and $83,000 optional fourth-year budget); Collier County's RFP 25-8414 for Pharmacy Benefit Management Services covering 2,400 enrolled employees with an estimated $8.7 million annual pharmacy spend (proposals due April 9, 2026); and the Columbus Consolidated Government RFP 26-0008 for inmate medical and pharmacy services at Muscogee County Prison, a 576-bed facility with current monthly medical costs of $95,537.71 (proposals due May 15, 2026). A fourth opportunity—Illinois Department of Public Health's emergency final costs notice for professional staffing through the CDC Foundation—documents a completed $3.9 million engagement but does not represent an open solicitation. The code shows active procurement across public health, workers' compensation, county benefits administration, and corrections.