In pharmacy, ATC stands for Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System. This is an internationally recognized system used for classifying drugs and other medicinal products.
The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system is maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO). Let's break down what this means:
- Anatomical: The first level of classification is based on the organ or system on which the drug acts (e.g., cardiovascular system, nervous system).
- Therapeutic: The second level classifies drugs based on their therapeutic use (e.g., antihypertensives, analgesics).
- Chemical: The subsequent levels provide more specific classifications based on the chemical substance or pharmacological properties of the drug.
The WHO assigns ATC codes to active ingredients based on their therapeutic indication. Each code consists of letters and numbers, creating a unique identifier.
Why is ATC Important in Pharmacy?
- Drug Classification and Identification: It provides a standardized way to classify and identify medications.
- Statistical Research: It's used for drug utilization studies and epidemiological research.
- International Comparison: It allows for the comparison of drug use across different countries.
- Data Analysis: Facilitates the analysis of drug consumption patterns and trends.
- Drug Information Systems: Used in drug databases and formularies.
For example, N05AH04 is an ATC code for Olanzapine (an antipsychotic). Let's break it down:
- N: Nervous system
- N05: Psycholeptics
- N05A: Antipsychotics
- N05AH: Diazepines, oxazepines and thiazepines
- N05AH04: Olanzapine
In summary, the ATC classification system in pharmacy provides a structured and internationally recognized method for categorizing drugs based on their anatomical target, therapeutic use, and chemical characteristics. This helps in organization, research, and comparison of drug usage.
