On March 10, the NDC12 conversation moves from awareness to execution at the HDA Distribution Management Conference (DMC).

HDA’s Distribution Management Conference and Expo is one of the most important annual gatherings for pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and supply chain leaders.

View the full agenda and session details here.

This year, one session stands out: the industry discussion on the transition from 10-digit National Drug Codes (NDC10) to 12-digit NDC (NDC12).

If you are new to the issue, see our overview of the NDC12 transition and NDC depletion timeline on NDC12.com.

Why This Session Matters

The shift to a 12-digit National Drug Code format is structural.

It affects:

Commercial operations
Pricing and gross-to-net models
Chargebacks and rebates
EDI transactions
Trade operations
Distributor alignment
DSCSA-related data flows

The FDA’s proposed expansion of the NDC format is not theoretical. Execution planning is already underway across the supply chain.

This session brings together the right mix of voices: distribution, manufacturing, trade, and industry coordination.

The Panel

Ameer Ali

Senior Director, Manufacturer Operations & Data Services, Cencora

Cencora recently published an article titled “The End Is Near… At Least for the 10-Digit NDC.” It outlines distributor readiness and operational implications.

When distributor systems feel pressure, the entire pharmaceutical supply chain feels it.

Michael Berman

AVP, Commercial Operations, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA

Commercial Operations is where NDC meets revenue.

Pricing systems. Contracts. Gross-to-net forecasting. Launch execution.

If NDC format changes disrupt those systems, the impact is immediate and measurable. The manufacturer commercial perspective will be critical in this discussion.

I had the opportunity to speak with Mike at GS1 Connect regarding NDC12. He brings practical clarity to portfolio scale and trade complexity. Mike is one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry I know.

Trade operations at global scale magnifies small misalignments. Sequencing and coordination will matter.

Tim Stearns

Senior Director, Industry Relations, Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA)

Tim hosted the NDC12 workshop at the recent HDA Traceability Seminar. He has visibility across manufacturers and distributors and understands where alignment still needs work.

Large transitions succeed when trading partners move together.

I Will Be Attending

I will attend this NDC12 session at HDA DMC.

For those unable to attend, I will publish a recap on NDC12.com with:

Key operational insights
Industry coordination themes
Execution risks
Recommended next steps

My handwriting is terrible. Somewhere between a doctor’s note and a ransom letter but I will translate them into clear, actionable takeaways.

The move from NDC10 to NDC12 will impact every trading partner in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

This session is where execution gets real.

NDC12 Stops Being Theory at HDA DMC