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.

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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.

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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 druggists’ sundries in bulk. They don’t manufacture these products but act as critical intermediaries between manufacturers and end-users such as retail pharmacies and healthcare institutions.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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 scope—ranging from pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and beauty supplies to first aid and herbal supplements—helps businesses and government agencies better identify opportunities and partners within this sector.

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Keywords: NAICS 424210, Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers, pharmaceutical wholesalers, wholesale trade, prescription drug wholesalers, medical supply distributors, SBA size standards