ATC/DD Dwhat we learnt

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Let us now talk about the uses ,misuses and disadvantages of ATC system.

USE

The ATC system is designed solely as a tool for drug consumption measurements and to follow and compare the trends in utilization.

Another area of use of the system is in checking irrational prescribing

Double medication is defined as using two identical drugs simultaneously, ( eg. Two preparations of epam), whereas pseudo double medication means using two different substances but with similar pharmacodynamic properties simultaneously. ( diazepam and oxazepam).Assigning codes will help identify the irrationality .

This in turn will help in improving drug use.

We are all aware that drug utilization statistics, to have best possible impact on drug use, must be presented in a focused and active manner. We all have sometime or the other done drug utilization study. But how many of us have used the ATC/DDD system for presenting our data? At least till now, I have not.

Let us now decide in future to assign the ATC code to the medicines we are using in our research studies

MISUSE

1.Inclusion of a drug in ATC classification does not give it a status of approved medicine for any particular use by any authority, and it cannot form a base for permitting medicine reimbursement. The policy for medicine reimbursement should be framed separately.

2.Pricing comparisons based on ATC classification is also another misuse. Since the indication , the dose for a medicine may differ from country to country. what can be studied is of increased cost being attributable to increased consumption of a therapeutic group over a period of time.

3. Inclusion in ATC system should not be used as a tool for marketing purposes. since assignment to different ATC group does not mean a difference in therapeutic effectiveness and assignment to same group does not mean therapeutic equivalence.

DISADVANTAGES.

It is to be remembered that ATC /DDD is a dynamic system in which changes are being made continuously. Same drug with different strength and different formulations is assigned different codes making the system a little complicated.

ATTN all ----- Prnciples of assigning codes

More than one ATC code is given if the medicine is available in 2or more strengths or routes of administration, with clearly different therapeutic uses.

Lets make the topic interesting by trying to attempt the problems that follow.-

1.Neurol, a major tranquilisssser –butyrophenione group-ATC code is N01AX-. Parenteral formulations are used in anesthesia, as antiemetic and also for treatment of schizophrenia

Neurol oral formulation is mainly used in schizophrenia.

Opine whether you will assign a different ATC code to oral formulation of Neurol.

2. a. Lisuride-code-G02CB02-high strength 0.2mg usedas prolactin inhibitor

b. Lisuride- code -N02CA07- low strength -25micogram, used as antimigrain

c. Lisuride- in strength 0.2-0.6 mg as antiparkinsonian-

Opine whether you will assign a different ATC code

Have a nice guess.--kunda

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