424210 - Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers
The NAICS code 424210 represents a vital segment within the wholesale trade industry, focusing on the distribution of essential healthcare products. Whether you're a business owner, government contractor, or industry professional, understanding this NAICS code is key to navigating opportunities and compliance in pharmaceutical and drug-related wholesale markets.
What is NAICS Code 424210?
NAICS code 424210 is titled "Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers". This classification covers establishments primarily engaged in merchant wholesale distribution of a wide array of drugs and druggists' sundries. These products include prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and associated healthcare supplies. The wholesalers under this code serve pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare providers by ensuring timely and efficient delivery of crucial medical products.
Sector and Typical Business Activities
- Sector: Wholesale Trade
- Typical business types:
- Pharmaceutical drug wholesalers
- Medical supply distributors
- Drugstore product wholesalers
Businesses in this NAICS category perform merchant wholesale functions, buying and selling drugs and druggistsā sundries in bulk. They donāt manufacture these products but act as critical intermediaries between manufacturers and end-users such as retail pharmacies and healthcare institutions.
Size Standards for NAICS 424210
To qualify as a "small business" under the SBA size standards for NAICS 424210, a company must not exceed:
- 250 employees
This threshold determines eligibility for small business federal contracting programs and other related benefits.
Examples of Businesses Under NAICS 424210
Here are examples of specialized businesses typically classified under this NAICS code:
- National pharmaceutical distributors offering both branded and generic drugs
- Regional suppliers of OTC drugs and first-aid products
- Wholesale companies distributing vitamins, supplements, and personal care items
- Medical and dental care product wholesalers
- Suppliers specializing in veterinary medicines and diagnostic reagents
These businesses play a critical role in ensuring a smooth supply chain in the healthcare ecosystem.
Detailed Code Description & Product Types
Below is a comprehensive list of the product types and merchant wholesalers covered under NAICS 424210:
| Product/Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics merchant wholesalers | Distribution of antibiotic medications |
| Antiseptics merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of antiseptic agents |
| Bacteriological medicines merchant wholesalers | Supplies for bacteriological treatment |
| Bandages (except surgical) merchant wholesalers | Non-surgical bandaging supplies |
| Beauty preparations merchant wholesalers | Wholesale distribution of beauty treatment products |
| Beauty supplies merchant wholesalers | General beauty product suppliers |
| Biologicals and allied products merchant wholesalers | Distribution of biological healthcare products |
| Blades, razor, merchant wholesalers | Wholesale of razor blades and similar items |
| Blood derivatives merchant wholesalers | Supplies derived from blood products |
| Blood plasma merchant wholesalers | Wholesale distribution of plasma products |
| Botanical drugs and herbs merchant wholesalers | Herbal and botanical therapeutic products |
| Botanicals merchant wholesalers | Wholesale botanical ingredients |
| Colognes merchant wholesalers | Perfume and cologne distribution |
| Cosmetics merchant wholesalers | Wholesale cosmetics products |
| Dental care preparations merchant wholesalers | Supplies for dental hygiene |
| Dentifrices merchant wholesalers | Toothpaste and other dentifrice products |
| Deodorants, personal, merchant wholesalers | Personal hygiene deodorants |
| Dermatological medicines merchant wholesalers | Skin treatment and dermatology-related medicines |
| Diagnostic reagents merchant wholesalers | Wholesale diagnostic chemical reagents |
| Diagnostics, in-vitro and in-vivo, merchant wholesalers | Distribution of diagnostic tests and reagents |
| Dietary supplements merchant wholesalers | Wholesale supplements and vitamins |
| Drug proprietaries merchant wholesalers | Proprietary drug product wholesalers |
| Druggists' sundries merchant wholesalers | Miscellaneous drugstore supplies |
| Drugs merchant wholesalers | General drug wholesale distribution |
| Endocrine substances merchant wholesalers | Hormone-related and endocrine product wholesalers |
| First-aid kits, household, merchant wholesalers | Household and general-use first aid supplies |
| First-aid supplies, household, merchant wholesalers | Bulk first-aid kits and consumables |
| Gauze merchant wholesalers | Medical gauze distribution |
| General-line drugs merchant wholesalers | Broad range drug product wholesalers |
| Hair care products merchant wholesalers | Wholesale hair care items |
| Hair preparations (except professional) merchant wholesalers | Hair care products excluding professional-grade |
| Hand sanitizers merchant wholesalers | Wholesale alcohol-based hand sanitizers |
| Herbal supplements merchant wholesalers | Herbal dietary supplement distribution |
| Hygiene products, oral, merchant wholesalers | Oral hygiene products such as mouthwash and floss |
| Medical sundries, rubber, merchant wholesalers | Rubber-based medical supplies |
| Nonprescription drugs merchant wholesalers | OTC drug product wholesalers |
| Perfumes merchant wholesalers | Distribution of perfumes |
| Pharmaceuticals merchant wholesalers | Licensed pharmaceutical distributors |
| Plasmas, blood, merchant wholesalers | Wholesale plasma and blood related products |
| Prescription drugs merchant wholesalers | Licensed wholesale distribution of prescription meds |
| Radioactive pharmaceutical isotopes merchant wholesalers | Radioactive isotopes for medical use |
| Radiopharmaceuticals merchant wholesalers | Distribution of radioactive pharmaceuticals |
| Razor blades merchant wholesalers | Wholesale razor blades |
| Razors (except electric) merchant wholesalers | Manual razor products wholesale |
| Rubber goods, medical, merchant wholesalers | Rubber medical supplies such as gloves |
| Salts, bath, merchant wholesalers | Bath salts and related products |
| Shaving preparations merchant wholesalers | Pre- and post-shaving product distribution |
| Skin care preparations merchant wholesalers | Skincare and dermatological preparations |
| Specialty-line pharmaceuticals merchant wholesalers | Niche pharmaceutical product wholesalers |
| Toilet preparations merchant wholesalers | Toiletries including soaps and cleansing agents |
| Toilet soaps merchant wholesalers | Bar and liquid soaps wholesale |
| Toiletries merchant wholesalers | General toiletry products wholesale |
| Toothbrushes (except electric) merchant wholesalers | Standard manual toothbrushes |
| Toothpastes merchant wholesalers | Toothpaste wholesale distribution |
| Vaccines merchant wholesalers | Distribution of vaccines |
| Veterinarians' medicines merchant wholesalers | Veterinary pharmaceuticals wholesale |
| Vitamins merchant wholesalers | Wholesale vitamin products |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does NAICS code 424210 cover?
It covers businesses primarily engaged in wholesale distribution of drugs and druggists' sundries, including prescription and OTC medications, medical supplies, and related healthcare products.
Which sector does NAICS 424210 belong to?
NAICS 424210 belongs to the Wholesale Trade sector.
What are some examples of businesses under this NAICS code?
Pharmaceutical drug wholesalers, medical supply distributors, and drugstore product wholesalers are typical examples.
How many employees define a small business under NAICS 424210?
A business with 250 or fewer employees is considered small under SBA standards.
Can NAICS 424210 companies sell both prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs?
Yes, this NAICS code includes merchant wholesalers distributing both prescription and OTC drugs.
Conclusion
NAICS code 424210 plays an indispensable role in the healthcare supply chain by classifying wholesalers who distribute vital drug and sundry products to pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare providers. Understanding its detailed scopeāranging from pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and beauty supplies to first aid and herbal supplementsāhelps businesses and government agencies better identify opportunities and partners within this sector.
Keywords: NAICS 424210, Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers, pharmaceutical wholesalers, wholesale trade, prescription drug wholesalers, medical supply distributors, SBA size standards
