3. DRUG CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
A drug classification system represents a common
language for describing the drug assortment in a country
or region and is a prerequisite for national and
international comparisons of drug utilization data, which
have to be collected and aggregated in a uniform way.
Access to standardized and validated information on
drug use is essential to allow
audits of patterns of drug utilization,
to identify problems in drug use,
to initiate educational or other interventions
and to monitor the outcomes of these interventions.
4. Drugs can be classified in different ways according to:
their mode of action;
their indications; or
their chemical structure.
5. The ATC classification system
The ATC classification system divides the drugs into different
groups according to the organ or system on which they act and
according to their chemical, pharmacological and therapeutic
properties.
Drugs are classified in groups at five different levels.
The drugs are divided into 14 main groups (first level),
with two therapeutic/pharmacological subgroups (second and
third levels).
The fourth level is a therapeutic/pharmacological/chemical
subgroup and
the fifth level is the chemical substance.
6. The complete classification of glibenclamide
illustrates the structure of the code.
A Alimentary tract and metabolism (first level, main
anatomical group)
A10 Drugs used in diabetes (second level, main
therapeutic group)
A10B Oral blood-glucose-lowering drugs (third level,
therapeutic/pharmacological subgroup)
A10B B Sulfonamides, urea derivatives(fourth level,
chemical/therapeutic/pharmacological subgroup)
A10B B01 Glibenclamide (fifth level, subgroup for
chemical substance)
Thus, in the ATC system all plain glibenclamide
preparations are given the code A10B B01.
7. GROUP FUNCTION DRUGS
ANALGESIC RELIEVES MILD TO SEVERE PAIN Opioids Analgesics:
•Morphine
•Pethidine
•Pentazocine
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflamatory Drugs
(NSAID):
Acetylsalicylic acid
Diclofenac
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
ANTI-
INFLAMMA-
TORY /
ANTI-
PYRETIC
REDUCES INFLAMMATION
FEVER LOWERING DRUGS
SEDATIVE INDUCES SLEEP OR RELAXATION Diazepam
Opioid analgesics
ANESTHET
IC
PRODUCE LACK OF FEELING
(GENERALLY, LOCALLY, OR
TOPICALLY)
Local: Lignocaine,
General:
•Ehter
•Halothane, Enflurane
•Nitrous Oxide
•Thiopental
•Propofol