Applications of the ATC/DDD methodology

The purpose of the ATC/DDD methodology is to serve as a tool for producing good quality, usable and comparable drug utilization statistics. The methodology can be used in:

- National Standard for Medicinal Products: The ATC classification has been adopted in various countries as a national standard for classification of medicinal products. In addition, many countries have established national product registries with ATC codes. ATC codes can also be used consistently by producers, wholesalers, pharmacies and the regulatory authorities to identify an active substance or a combination of active substances.

- International Classification: A drug classification system represents a common language for describing the drugs available in a country or region and is a prerequisite for national and international comparisons of drug use data.

- Health Policy: Drug utilization statistics is an important tool in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of national drug policies. Availability of local or national data on drug use represents the first step in improving the quality of drug use in the population.

- Pharmacoepidemiology/Drug Utilization Research: Follow trends and patterns in drug use. Applications of a specific set of ATC codes and DDDs to drug use information over time allow trends in drug utilization to be studied.

- Pharmacovigilance: The ATC classification can be used in the monitoring of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) as the system helps to link ADRs to drug classes. Moreover, since DDDs can provide information on volume of medicines used, it can also help determine ADR rates.

- Assisting procurement agencies and payer organizations: To ensure a better overview of the availability of drugs. For example, identification of main drug costs to ensure no drug shortages.