Understanding the National Drug Code

The NDC, or National Drug Code, is a unique product identifier used in the United States for drugs intended for human use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assigns this 10-digit, three-segment number which is a universal product identifier for human drugs.

The three segments of the NDC identify:

1. Labeler: The firm that manufactures, repacks, or distributes the drug is assigned a unique identifier. This is the first segment of the NDC and indicates the responsible party.

2. Product: The specific strength, dosage form, and formulation for a particular firm. This is the second segment of the NDC and reveals information about the product itself.

3. Package: The package code represents the size and type of packaging. This is the third segment of the NDC, providing information about the packaging of the product.

An NDC is typically displayed with hyphens between the segments (for example, NDC 12345-6789-0), and it's also important to note that the FDA has a strict format for NDC numbers to ensure they are standardized.

Understanding and properly using NDC numbers is crucial for any pharmaceutical company like Atlas Pharma. It allows us to accurately track and manage our drug inventory, provide clear information for health care providers and patients, and ensure we're compliant with regulatory requirements. The NDC numbers allow for efficient and effective communication and documentation between manufacturers, regulators, providers, and insurers. In summary, it's an essential tool for organizing and identifying our products in the pharmaceutical marketplace.