The National Drug Code (NDC) is a 10-digit identifier for drugs in the US, with three sections identifying the manufacturer, formulation, and pack size. The FDA maintains a database of codes for reference, and recording NDCs eliminates confusion and ambiguity in medical records and billing.
The National Drug Code (NDC) is a unique 10-digit identifier for drugs in the United States. The origins of the National Drug Code lie with Medicare, where simplified coding is needed to track patients and generate bills. Over time, the use of such codes has spread to other entities. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains a database of codes currently in use for reference by physicians, medical billers, and others.
Each national drug code has three separate sections. The first identifies the “labeler”, the company that manufactures or distributes the drug. The second contains information on the formulation, strength and dosage and the third indicates the pack size. The dashes flow between segments to make the codes easier to read, and the number of digits in each segment can vary, depending on the drug and manufacturer.
The FDA inspects and approves drugs sold for human and animal use in the United States. Pursuant to the Drug Listing Act of 1972, it maintains a database of information on all drugs currently in use, including each drug’s National Drug Code. If a drug can’t be found in the drug code, it may not have FDA approval, or the manufacturer may have sent a notice to the FDA indicating plans to withdraw the drug from the market. The FDA regularly updates the database to keep information current, adding new drugs and removing drugs that are no longer available for sale.
While people may be familiar with national drug codes for drugs they frequently prescribe and interact with, it is usually necessary to search the drug database to properly record the code. Online database access is available, allowing people to search for medications based on traits such as active ingredients and manufacturers. The FDA does not allow reuse of drug codes to avoid confusion and situations where the drug under discussion may be unclear.
One benefit of recording information in the form of the National Drug Code is that it eliminates confusion and ambiguity. If the numbers are noted correctly, the code will be readable by anyone examining a patient’s medical records and billing records. In the case of things like single-dose vials, a peel-off label with the National Drug Code and lot information is often available. When the doctor administers the drug, the label can be pasted into the patient’s medical record for future reference and often includes a machine-readable barcode to facilitate data entry.
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