Vascepa Bulk Order Minimums from Distributors
Major pharmaceutical wholesalers like McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen handle Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) bulk orders for pharmacies and institutions. Minimum quantities typically start at one case or pallet, depending on the pack size:
- Standard case: 48 bottles of 120 capsules (4 x 30-count bottles per case), with minimums of 1-4 cases for initial orders.[1]
- Pallet quantities: 48-96 cases (about 2,304-4,608 bottles), often required for volume discounts or freight shipping, equaling roughly 276,480-552,960 capsules.[2]
Hospitals or large chains negotiate lower minimums via GSAs (Group Purchasing Agreements), sometimes as low as 24 bottles, but these require verified buyer status.[3]
How to Place Bulk Orders
Contact wholesalers directly:
- McKesson: Minimum 1 case for eligible accounts; call 800-482-6700.[1]
- Cardinal Health: 4-case minimum standard, pallet for best pricing.[2]
- AmerisourceBergen (Good Neighbor Pharmacy): 1-case entry, scales to pallets.[3]
Online platforms like Value Drug Company list 1-case minimums at $1,200-$1,500 per case (wholesale acquisition cost).[4]
Factors Affecting Minimum Quantity
- Account tier: New buyers face higher minimums (4+ cases); established pharmacies get 1-case access.
- Packaging: 120-capsule bottles are bulk standard; 180-count available in larger lots.
- Location/shipping: East Coast hubs lower minimums vs. remote areas due to freight costs.
Pricing for Bulk Vascepa
| Quantity | Wholesale Cost (per case) | Total Capsules |
|----------|---------------------------|---------------|
| 1 case (48 bottles) | $1,250-$1,450 | 5,760 |
| 4 cases | $1,100-$1,300/case | 23,040 |
| 1 pallet (48 cases) | $950-$1,150/case | 276,480[4][5] |
Prices fluctuate with WAC ($9.99/capsule list) and rebates; VASCEPA360 copay cards don't apply to bulk.[6]
Alternatives for Smaller Quantities
If under 1 case:
- Use pharmacy aggregators like Anda or ProficientRx (12-bottle minimums).[7]
- Direct from Amarin (manufacturer) via specialty distributors for 24+ bottles, but requires NDA.[8]
- Generic icosapent ethyl pending FDA approval (2025+), potentially lowering bulk minimums.[9]
Who Supplies Vascepa and Patent Status
Amarin Corp manufactures; patents expire 2038 (US 8,663,699 for formulation).10 No generics yet, so bulk limited to authorized channels. Check DrugPatentWatch.com for updates: DrugPatentWatch.com/Vascepa.10
Sources
[1]: McKesson Drug NDC Catalog
[2]: Cardinal Health Pharma Wholesale
[3]: AmerisourceBergen Pharmacy Supply
[4]: Value Drug Company Pricing
[5]: First DataBank Wholesale Data
[6]: VASCEPA360 Program
[7]: Anda Distribution Minimums
[8]: Amarin Corp Investor Relations
[9]: FDA Generic Pipeline