Redbook Advanced Drug Pricing Database

DESCRIPTION: RED BOOKTM ADVANCED DRUG PRICING DATABASE The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) 441 G. Street NW, Washington DC in accordance with FAR Part 13; intends to negotiate a Purchase Order on a sole source basic with Truven Health Analytics for RED BOOKTM Advanced Drug Pricing Database This notice is considered to be sole source to Truven Health Analytics; therefore, no solicitation will result from this announcement. This is not a request for proposals. GAO believes that there is currently only one responsible source capable of providing these services to satisfy the agency requirements. The RED BOOKTM Advanced drug pricing database provides pricing and descriptive information for prescription and over-the-counter drugs. It provides detailed information about health-care products, including prescription pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, chemicals used for compounding, medical devices, and medical supplies. Specifically, it includes: - Every drug product approved by the FDA for manufacture and distribution. - For each product record, brand name, generic name, NDC number, dosage, form, strength, route of administration, and package size. - Available fields indicate single-source, DESI and repackaged products; controlled substances; - Maintenance drugs; "Orange Book" codes, which are the FDA's therapeutic equivalence ratings for multi-source products; and CMS J-Codes for establishing and/or validating reimbursement schedules for injectable drugs. - Updated with new product and/or pricing information. - NDC numbers maintained in "5-4-2" and "Standard 10" formats; if a number changes, the database supplies both the new and old NDC. - Unique numbering systems to assist in the identification and comparison of products with common generic ingredients, formulations, and therapeutic classifications. The specific data elements contained in the RED BOOK database are necessary to meet the requirements of two Health Care team engagements. The first, engagement 291064 (Shortages of Controlled Substances), is follow-up work to engagement 290956, which resulted in GAO-12-116 (Drug Shortages: FDA's Ability to Respond Should be Strengthened) in November 2011. The second engagement is being staffed now, and is also a follow-up to the November 2011 Drug Shortages product. These engagements require longitudinal analyses of drug characteristic and pricing data. To develop a methodologically rigorous study for a longitudinal analysis, consistent data must be used. GAO currently has RED BOOKTM Advanced Drug Pricing Database data for years 2007 through June 2012. The acquisition of a new drug pricing database would require not only the purchase of the current data, but also the additional cost associated with purchasing multiple prior years of data. In addition, FAIS has three current engagements that are expected to require RED BOOK data (192403, 192406, and 192417), and both FAIS and Health Care anticipate continued demand for work in this area. This Purchase Order will be effective from the date of award with a base and four one year option periods. All inquiries and concerns must be addressed in writing to Contract Specialist, Lourie Blount (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 441 G. Street, NW, Room 7116-5, Washington, DC, 20548). Responses for this notice must be received within 15 days after electronic posting as a notice in the FEDBIZOPPS. For inquiries regarding this notice, please contact Lourie Blount at (202) 512-3714 or BlountL@gao.gov.