OpenBilldrug price receipt

NADAC week of 2026-10-14

METFORMIN HCL 500 MG TABLET

For 30 tablets

Pharmacies pay

$0.44 filed

30 × $0.01451 per EA

CMS NADAC · nadac-national-average-drug-acquisition-cost-20261014.csv · eff. 2026-09-23 · as of 2026-10-14 · retrieved 2026-10-17

Medicare Part D paid

$1.69 filed

30 × $0.05643 per EA, Part D average

Medicare's price is not your price.

Medicare Part D · DSD_PTD_RY26_P04_V10_DY24_BGM.csv · eff. 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31 · as of 2026-06-25 · retrieved 2026-10-18


The spread

3.9× estimated

Medicare paid 3.9× what pharmacies pay.

Part D averages every strength and form sold under “Metformin HCl” into one figure, so it is not specific to this NDC.

OpenBill calculation · DSD_PTD_RY26_P04_V10_DY24_BGM.csv + nadac-national-average-drug-acquisition-cost-20261014.csv · NADAC eff. 2026-09-23 (file of 2026-10-14, retrieved 2026-10-17) · Part D 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (file of 2026-06-25, retrieved 2026-10-18)

Cost-plus estimate

$5.51 estimated

$0.44 + $0.07 (15%) + $5.00 fee per fill = $5.51

This is a model, not a price any pharmacy quoted. Shipping is not included. For a pack this cheap, the $5.00 fee is most of the estimate. How it is worked out

OpenBill calculation · nadac-national-average-drug-acquisition-cost-20261014.csv · NADAC eff. 2026-09-23 (file of 2026-10-14, retrieved 2026-10-17)

Open the interactive card Change the quantity, type what you were charged, and see every record in full.

What it is

METFORMIN HCL 500 MG TABLET is how the CMS NADAC file names this product. The FDA NDC Directory lists it as “metformin hydrochloride”, “metformin hcl” and “metformin hydrochloride tablet”, as its NDCs’ listings variously write the nonproprietary name.

FDA gives its dosage form as “tablet, film coated”, “tablet” and “tablet, coated” and its route as oral.

FDA lists 17 labelers (the companies named on the label) for its NDCs, among them Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Major Pharmaceuticals and Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc.

FDA’s Established Pharmacologic Class for it is Biguanide.

The NADAC file of 2026-10-14 prices it under 57 NDCs (National Drug Codes); the FDA directory lists 52 of them.

NADAC classes it as a generic drug (rate-setting class G), and does not mark it as sold over the counter.

What pharmacies pay

Pharmacies pay $0.44 for 30 tablets (30 × $0.01451 per EA, rounded to the cent), by the CMS NADAC file of 2026-10-14; that price took effect on 2026-09-23. That is what pharmacies pay their suppliers, not what they charge you.

NADAC’s explanation code for it: 1, calculated from the most recently completed pharmacy survey.

The 17 labelers

LabelerNDCsPharmacies pay per unit
Ascend Laboratories, LLC6$0.01451 per EA filed
Aurobindo Pharma Limited6$0.01451 per EA filed
Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC6$0.01451 per EA filed
Granules Pharmaceuticals Inc.4$0.01451 per EA filed
TIME CAP LABORATORIES, INC4$0.01451 per EA filed
Chartwell RX, LLC3$0.01451 per EA filed
Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc.3$0.01451 per EA filed
Laurus Labs Limited3$0.01451 per EA filed
Mullan Pharmaceutical Inc.3$0.01451 per EA filed
ScieGen Pharmaceuticals Inc3$0.01451 per EA filed
Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.3$0.01451 per EA filed
Precision Dose, Inc.2$0.01451 per EA filed
Quallent Pharmaceuticals Health LLC2$0.01451 per EA filed
American Health Packaging1$0.01451 per EA filed
Legacy Pharmaceutical Packaging, LLC1$0.01451 per EA filed
Major Pharmaceuticals1$0.01451 per EA filed
Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.1$0.01451 per EA filed
Not listed as a package in the FDA directory5$0.01451 per EA filed
All 57 NDCs, with labeler and price
  • 00378-7185-05 · Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 00904-7162-61 · Major Pharmaceuticals · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 23155-0841-01 · Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 23155-0841-05 · Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 23155-0841-10 · Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 42385-0947-01 · Laurus Labs Limited · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 42385-0947-05 · Laurus Labs Limited · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 42385-0947-11 · Laurus Labs Limited · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 43547-0357-10 · not listed as a package in the FDA directory · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 43547-0357-11 · not listed as a package in the FDA directory · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 43547-0357-50 · not listed as a package in the FDA directory · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 49483-0622-01 · TIME CAP LABORATORIES, INC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 49483-0622-10 · TIME CAP LABORATORIES, INC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 49483-0622-50 · TIME CAP LABORATORIES, INC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 49483-0622-81 · TIME CAP LABORATORIES, INC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 50228-0105-01 · ScieGen Pharmaceuticals Inc · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 50228-0105-05 · ScieGen Pharmaceuticals Inc · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 50228-0105-10 · ScieGen Pharmaceuticals Inc · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 59651-0854-01 · Aurobindo Pharma Limited · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 59651-0854-05 · Aurobindo Pharma Limited · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 59651-0854-99 · Aurobindo Pharma Limited · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 60687-0155-01 · American Health Packaging · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 60687-0155-11 · not listed as a package in the FDA directory · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 62135-0680-05 · Chartwell RX, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 62135-0680-18 · Chartwell RX, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 62135-0680-90 · Chartwell RX, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 65862-0008-01 · Aurobindo Pharma Limited · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 65862-0008-05 · Aurobindo Pharma Limited · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 65862-0008-99 · Aurobindo Pharma Limited · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 67877-0561-01 · Ascend Laboratories, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 67877-0561-05 · Ascend Laboratories, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 67877-0561-10 · Ascend Laboratories, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 67877-0930-01 · Ascend Laboratories, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 67877-0930-05 · Ascend Laboratories, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 67877-0930-10 · Ascend Laboratories, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 68094-0688-60 · Precision Dose, Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 68094-0688-70 · Precision Dose, Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 68382-0758-01 · Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 68382-0758-05 · Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 68382-0758-10 · Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 68645-0544-59 · not listed as a package in the FDA directory · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 68645-0582-59 · Legacy Pharmaceutical Packaging, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 69367-0180-01 · Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 69367-0180-05 · Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 69367-0180-10 · Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 69367-0381-01 · Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 69367-0381-05 · Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 69367-0381-10 · Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 70010-0063-01 · Granules Pharmaceuticals Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 70010-0063-05 · Granules Pharmaceuticals Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 70010-0063-09 · Granules Pharmaceuticals Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 70010-0063-10 · Granules Pharmaceuticals Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 82009-0046-10 · Quallent Pharmaceuticals Health LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 82009-0174-10 · Quallent Pharmaceuticals Health LLC · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 83301-0008-01 · Mullan Pharmaceutical Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 83301-0008-02 · Mullan Pharmaceutical Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed
  • 83301-0008-03 · Mullan Pharmaceutical Inc. · $0.01451 per EA · eff. 2026-09-23 filed

Other strengths, forms and brands

11 other products in the NADAC file share an FDA nonproprietary name with METFORMIN HCL 500 MG TABLET.

ProductPharmacies pay per unitMedicare per unit
METFORMIN ER 1,000 MG GASTR-TB
generic · tablet, extended release / tablet, film coated, extended release
$0.3357 per EA filed
eff. 2026-09-23
We don’t know yet
METFORMIN ER 1,000 MG OSM-TAB
generic · tablet, film coated, extended release / tablet, extended release
$0.31418 per EA filed
eff. 2026-09-23
$2.20305 per EA filed
Part D 2024 average
METFORMIN ER 500 MG GASTRC-TB
generic · tablet, extended release / tablet, film coated, extended release
$0.27102 per EA filed
eff. 2026-09-23
We don’t know yet
METFORMIN ER 500 MG OSMOTIC TB
generic · tablet, film coated, extended release / tablet, extended release
$0.1644 per EA filed
eff. 2026-09-23
$2.20305 per EA filed
Part D 2024 average
METFORMIN HCL 1,000 MG TABLET
generic · tablet, film coated / tablet / tablet, coated
$0.02315 per EA filed
eff. 2026-09-23
$0.05643 per EA filed
Part D 2024 average
METFORMIN HCL 500 MG TABLET this page
generic · tablet, film coated / tablet / tablet, coated
$0.01451 per EA filed
eff. 2026-09-23
$0.05643 per EA filed
Part D 2024 average
METFORMIN HCL 500 MG/5 ML SOLN
generic · solution
$0.3829 per ML filed
eff. 2026-09-23
We don’t know yet
METFORMIN HCL 625 MG TABLET
generic · tablet
$12.5266 per EA filed
eff. 2026-01-21 to 2026-02-25
$0.05643 per EA filed
Part D 2024 average
METFORMIN HCL 750 MG TABLET
generic · tablet
$14.605 per EA filed
eff. 2025-12-17 to 2026-02-25
$0.05643 per EA filed
Part D 2024 average
METFORMIN HCL 850 MG TABLET
generic · tablet, film coated / tablet / tablet, coated
$0.02398 per EA filed
eff. 2026-09-23
$0.05643 per EA filed
Part D 2024 average
METFORMIN HCL ER 500 MG TABLET
generic · tablet, extended release / tablet
$0.02838 per EA filed
eff. 2026-09-23
$0.05999 per EA filed
Part D 2024 average
METFORMIN HCL ER 750 MG TABLET
generic · tablet, extended release / tablet
$0.05264 per EA filed
eff. 2026-09-23
$0.05999 per EA filed
Part D 2024 average

Part D is one average per brand and generic name, over every strength and form.

CMS NADAC · nadac-national-average-drug-acquisition-cost-20261014.csv · eff. between 2025-12-17 and 2026-09-23 (4 dates) · as of 2026-10-14 · retrieved 2026-10-17

Medicare Part D · DSD_PTD_RY26_P04_V10_DY24_BGM.csv · eff. 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31 · as of 2026-06-25 · retrieved 2026-10-18

Compared with its class

The middle of its 57 NDCs’ NADAC prices is $0.01451 per EA filed.

Of the 71 other products in FDA’s Biguanide class priced per EA, 71 have a higher middle NADAC price and 0 a lower one. The one in the middle is SYNJARDY XR 5-1,000 MG TABLET, at $5.61111 per EA filed (eff. 2026-09-23).

Prices are compared per unit, whatever the strength or dose, and a class is not a list of substitutes.

CMS NADAC · nadac-national-average-drug-acquisition-cost-20261014.csv · eff. 2026-09-23 · as of 2026-10-14 · retrieved 2026-10-17

What Medicare paid

Medicare Part D paid $1.69 for 30 tablets, at an average of $0.05643 per EA in 2024 (2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31) for “Metformin HCl”, every strength and form sold under that name together (Medicare Part D Spending by Drug, file of 2026-06-25).

That average covers 23,961,097 Part D claims (fills, including refills) for 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31, across every maker, strength and form under the name.

Medicare's price is not your price.

What to ask at the counter

None of these figures is your price: what you pay depends on your pharmacy, your insurance, coupons and discounts.

Questions

Why is the comparison with Medicare for METFORMIN HCL 500 MG TABLET labelled estimated?
Beyond what the card shows, the records give these reasons: The Part D figure covers 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31; the NADAC price is from the file of 2026-10-14. Part D spending basis, as the Part D record states it: Part D 2024 average spend per dosage unit for Metformin HCl / Metformin HCl: all makers, strengths, forms and routes combined, claim-weighted; gross cost incl. dispensing fees and patient pay, before rebates. Unit taken as NADAC's EA. Joined on generic name. 166 of 170 NADAC NDCs joined to this name are priced per EA (4 per ML): CMS's average mixes those units.