Drug identifier
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Summary
10 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that drug identification can be improved through comprehensive databases like the NDC Directory, enhanced e-prescribing practices, and innovative methods such as CandyCodes and orthographic/phonetic similarity measures.
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Drug Identifier: Analyzing the National Drug Code (NDC) System
Importance of Accurate Drug Identification in E-Prescribing
Accurate drug identification is crucial in the healthcare industry, particularly in electronic prescribing (e-prescribing). The National Drug Code (NDC) is the most commonly used drug identifier in ambulatory care e-prescribing. However, concerns have been raised about its effectiveness and accuracy. A study analyzing 49,997 e-prescriptions found that while the use of NDC identifiers was high, approximately one-third of these identifiers were unrepresentative, potentially causing workflow disruptions at pharmacies. Moreover, discrepancies between the free-text drug descriptions entered by prescribers and the NDC-associated drug descriptions were found in a small but significant number of cases, highlighting the need for regular validation checks by e-prescribing technology vendors.
Enhancing Drug Ontology with NDC and RxNorm Identifiers
The Drug Ontology (DrOn) has been developed to provide a semantically-rich representation of drug products, including NDCs and RxNorm unique concept identifiers (RXCUIs). This ontology allows researchers to query drug products by various attributes such as ingredient, therapeutic disposition, and physiological effect. DrOn's approach to modeling these identifiers helps users interpret historic prescription data more accurately, addressing the issue of changes in NDCs and RXCUIs over time. This enhancement is particularly valuable for managing and retrieving historic data, ensuring that the identifiers' meanings remain clear and consistent.
Evaluation of Online Drug References for Identifying OTC Drugs
Identifying over-the-counter (OTC) solid oral dosage forms (SODFs) can be challenging. A study evaluated six online drug references for their effectiveness in identifying OTC SODFs. The study found that Identidex was the most effective, identifying 77.9% of nonprescription drugs, followed by Ident-A-Drug and other databases. However, dietary supplements were much harder to identify due to the lack of imprints on many products, with only 17.1% of dietary supplements being identifiable. This highlights the need for better identification methods for dietary supplements.
National Drug Code Directory and Its Role
The National Drug Code Directory, maintained by the FDA, is a comprehensive list of all drugs manufactured, prepared, propagated, compounded, or processed for commercial distribution. Each drug product is identified by a unique three-segment NDC number, serving as a universal product identifier. This directory is updated daily, ensuring that the information remains current and reliable for drug identification purposes.
Accuracy and Usability of Medication Identifiers
The accuracy and usability of medication identifiers are essential for safe medication use. A contemporary evaluation of medication identifiers is necessary to keep up with advancements in mobile and web-based technology used by healthcare professionals and patients. Prior studies have shown that electronic drug identification databases can identify a high percentage of solid oral dosage forms by their imprint codes, with Ident-A-Drug and Identidex being the most effective. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly for generic and nonprescription products.
Innovative Approaches to Drug Identification
Innovative methods such as CandyCodes offer a novel approach to drug identification. This technique involves applying nonpareils (tiny multicolor candy spheres) to pills, creating a unique pattern for each pill. This pattern can be photographed and stored in a database, allowing consumers to verify the authenticity of a pill using a cellphone camera. This method provides a simple, cost-effective way to combat counterfeit drugs and ensure the authenticity of pharmaceuticals.
Conclusion
The National Drug Code system plays a vital role in drug identification within the healthcare industry. While it is widely used and generally effective, there are areas that require improvement, such as the handling of unrepresentative NDC numbers and the identification of dietary supplements. Enhancements in drug ontology and innovative identification methods like CandyCodes offer promising solutions to these challenges. Ensuring the accuracy and usability of drug identifiers is essential for safe and effective medication use.
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