What does the NDC number stand for?

The NDC number stands for National Drug Code, which is a unique identifier for medications in the United States. The NDC system helps to identify specific drugs, their manufacturers, and packaging details. Each NDC is composed of three segments: the first segment indicates the labeler code (the manufacturer or distributor), the second segment represents the product code (the specific drug formulation, strength, and dosage form), and the last segment denotes the package code (the packaging size and type).

The NDC number plays a crucial role in drug regulation, inventory management, and billing within pharmacy practice. It ensures accurate identification of products, facilitating the safe dispensing of medications and supporting efforts in drug safety monitoring by providing essential information that can link to adverse event reporting systems.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the NDC system used for drug identification. Options such as National Dose Code, National Distribution Code, and National Delivery Code do not exist as formal identifiers within the pharmacy practice framework. Understanding the significance and structure of the NDC number is vital for pharmacy professionals when it comes to managing pharmaceuticals safely and effectively.