Files > VA DRUG CLASS

name

VA DRUG CLASS

number

50.605

location

^PS(50.605,

description

Per VHA Directive 2005-044, this file has been "locked down" by Data Standardization (DS). The file definition (i.e. data dictionary) shall not be modified. All additions, changes and deletions to entries in the file shall be done by Enterprise Reference Terminology (ERT) using the Master File Server (MFS), provided by Common Services (CS). Creating and/or editing locally defined fields in the file are not permitted. Use of locally defined fields that were created prior to VHA Directive 2005-044 shall not be supported. This file contains the VA Drug Classifications. Each five-character alpha-numeric code specifies a broad classification and a specific type of product. The first two characters are letters and form the mnemonic for the major classification (e.g., AM for antimicrobials). Characters 3 through 5 are numbers and form the basis for subclassification. The VA Drug Classification system classifies drug products, not generic ingredients. Drug products with local effects are classified by route of administration (e.g., dermatological, ophthalmic). If a product is not classified by route of administration, it is classified in most instances under a specific chemical or pharmacological classification (e.g., beta-blockers, cephalosporins). If a product is not classified by route of administration, or chemical or pharmacological subclassification, it may be classified under a therapeutic category (e.g., antilipemic agents, antiparkinson agents).

Fields

#	Name	Location	Type	Details	Index	Description
.01	code(+)	0;1	FREE TEXT		B	This is the five alphanumeric character code of the classification.
1	classification	0;2	FREE TEXT			This is the name of the classification.
2	parent class	0;3	POINTER	50.605	AC	This is the parent class.
3	type	0;4	SET OF CODES	0:MAJOR 1:MINOR 2:SUB-CLASS		This is the type of the classification.
4	description	1;0	WORD-PROCESSING			This is a description of the classification.
99.98	master entry for vuid(+)	VUID;2	BOOLEAN	1:YES 0:NO		This field identifies the Master entry for a VUID associated with a Term/Concept.
99.99	vuid(+)	VUID;1	FREE TEXT		AVUID	VHA Unique ID (VUID). A unique meaningless integer assigned to reference terms VHA wide.
99.991	effective date/time	TERMSTATUS;0	MULTIPLE	50.60509		Describes the pair Status and Effective Date/Time for each reference term.