Knowra Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System The World Health Organization’s system for classifying active substances by the anatomical system they affect, their therapeutic uses, and their chemical properties. Its hierarchical codes support drug utilization research and international comparisons.
ATC code : A code in the ATC system identifying a substance or group at one of five hierarchical levels. Each code locates a substance within the system’s anatomical, therapeutic, pharmacological, and chemical hierarchy.
Drug utilization research : The study of how medicines are marketed, prescribed, dispensed, and used in populations. ATC codes provide a consistent framework for categorizing medicines in utilization studies.
International Classification of Diseases : The World Health Organization’s system for coding diseases, health conditions, and causes of death. It classifies diagnoses, whereas ATC classifies medicines by their properties and uses.
Medicine consumption : The amount of medicines used by individuals or populations over a defined period. ATC/DDD made this activity more comparable across countries and time periods.
Defined Daily Dose : The assumed average adult maintenance dose per day for a drug’s main indication. ATC codes are often paired with this measurement to compare drug consumption.
Pharmacoepidemiology : The study of the use and effects of medicines in large populations. Researchers use ATC classifications to define and compare medicine exposures.
Anatomical Classification of Pharmaceutical Products : A pharmaceutical product classification system developed by the European Pharmaceutical Market Research Association. This market-oriented system resembles ATC but differs in structure and classification choices.
Drug policy : Public rules and decisions governing the development, approval, distribution, and use of medicines. Comparable utilization data can inform decisions about medicine access and use.
International Nonproprietary Name : A unique generic name assigned to a pharmaceutical substance by the World Health Organization. The system classifies active substances, commonly identified by their international nonproprietary names.
WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology : The World Health Organization centre responsible for maintaining the ATC/DDD system. It assigns codes, maintains the classification, and publishes annual updates.
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