Aligning the healthcare ecosystem for a successful 12-digit NDC transition
The Challenge
The NDC Rule, finalized by FDA in March 2026, establishes a single, uniform 12-digit format for FDA-assigned National Drug Codes (NDCs) beginning in 2033. Today, NDC codes exist in multiple 10-digit, and sometimes 11-digit, configurations that organizations interpret differently across systems. Transitioning to 12 digits requires coordinated changes across every part of the healthcare ecosystem, spanning manufacturers and distributors to providers, payers, and regulators.
Changes will span hundreds of systems and processes across every sector
Organizations must operate in a mixed 10-, 11-, and 12-digit environment for years
Critical dependencies exist across manufacturing, distribution, care delivery, payment, and regulatory
Success depends on synchronized execution across independent actors
The NDC Forum
The NDC Coordination and Implementation Forum is a cross-sector collaborative of manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, health care providers, retailers, payers, technology providers, regulators, and other critical stakeholders working to ensure the entire drug ecosystem moves forward with shared insight, aligned priorities, and coordinated execution.
Accelerates
Cross-Sector
Learning
Creates a structured mechanism to share real-world challenges, surface emerging risks early, and translate lessons from one sector into action for others.
Aligns the Ecosystem Across Independent Efforts
Connects and amplifies the work of standards bodies, trade associations, and others, identifying gaps, overlaps, and dependencies to ensure a coherent, systemwide plan.
Serves as a Central Industry-Government Interface
Provides a trusted forum for dialogue with FDA, CMS, ONC, NIH, CDC, DEA, CBP, states, and other agencies, enabling real-time feedback loops on implementation challenges and surfacing areas where regulatory clarity or flexibility is needed.
Drives Rapid Alignment on Cross-Sector Issues
Establishes time-bound “strike forces” to resolve priority challenges as they arise, such as HIPAA alignment, testing models, and barcode strategy.
Coordinates Testing and Piloting Across the Ecosystem
Aligns stakeholders around shared testing approaches and timelines, ensuring cross-sector readiness ahead of the critical 2030-2032 testing window.
Consolidates Education, Guidance, and Resources
Creates a single access point for implementation materials, aligns messaging, and reduces duplication and confusion across the ecosystem.
Learn how the NDC Forum supports the NDC12 transition by helping stakeholders align, prepare, and coordinate across the healthcare ecosystem.
Why Participate
Early
Visibility
Gain early insight into risks emerging in other sectors
Reduce
Cost
Avoid rework and misalignment by coordinating implementation
Influence
Decisions
Shape how cross-sector issues and priorities are resolved
Engage
Regulators
Work directly with agencies defining the path forward
Stay
Aligned
Keep your organization synchronized with ecosystem progress
Quarterly
Coordinating Forum
Cross-sector leaders convene to share progress, align on priorities and dependencies, engage government stakeholders, and surface issues for Strike Force resolution.
Rapid
“Strike Forces”
Focused, time-bound teams tackle high-priority cross-sector issues and deliver actionable outputs in weeks, not years.
Central
Knowledge Hub
A shared platform with implementation roadmaps, dependency maps, testing frameworks, regulatory updates, and a directory of technical leaders and standards bodies.
Pilot Coordination
Planning and coordination to support essential cross-sector testing and piloting, including government collaboration.
Bringing Together the Full Healthcare Ecosystem
The NDC Coordination and Implementation Forum brings together stakeholders across all reaches of the health care ecosystem.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Rx, OTC, and animal drug manufacturers
Packaging, labeling, and importers
Wholesalers and distributors
Care Delivery
Pharmacies: retail, specialty, and hospital
Health systems and providers
Dental, long-term care, and carceral care settings
Technology & Data Infrastructure
EHRs, pharmacy systems, and ePrescribing platforms
Clinical decision support systems
Warehouse, traceability, and supply chain platforms
Drug compendia and data providers
Payers & Financial Systems
Payers and pharmacy benefit managers
Group purchasing organizations (GPOs)
Billing, claims, and revenue cycle organizations
Government & Standards
Federal and state regulators
Standards bodies
Other Key Stakeholders
Patient advocacy organizations
Research institutions and academic medical centers
Get Involved
Organizational Membership
Annual Membership
$5,000
per organization
Unlimited participants from your organization
Access to all quarterly forums, strike forces, and other events
Full access to tools, outputs, and shared resources
Per-Participant Access
Virtual
Quarterly Forums
$399
per person
In-Person
Forums
TBD
per person
Attend quarterly forums on a per-person basis, ideal for organizations exploring participation before committing to full membership.
September and December Forum dates and registration coming soon!
Strike force participation available to organizational members only.