E-drug: Universal code for drugs (cont'd)
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Mary,
In the State environment in South Africa we use the NATO coding
system to generically identify all medicines and medical items used.
We cross reference this code per generic item with the EAN bar-
codes allocated to the item by the suppliers/manufacturers. We also
cross reference this NATO stock code with the ATC classification
of the product.
Many of the users find this code too user unfriendly and therefor
some of the provincial administrations cross reference the stock
management number with a code with an easily recognisable
meaning to it.
Obviously when one has so many numbers, codes and classifica-
tions cross referencing, the use of a relatively sophisticated
computerised stock management system becomes imperative.
Spreadsheets and flat file systems don't cut it.
Regards,
Tony
Anthony L. Odendaal
Pharmaceutical Systems Manager
COMED Integrated Medical Logistics System
(COMED = Coordinating Committee for Medical Procurement)
Department of Health (National)
Private Bag X828, Pretoria,0001, South Africa.
Fax * 27 12 328 7585
Tel * 27 12 312 0348
Mobile +27 83 274 1519
e-mail: sysman@comed.pwv.gov.za
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