This website has been archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated. This is the pre-2006 version of the Ambulatory Care Drug Database, which used NCHS classification systems along with FDA’s National Drug Code Directory for coding drug characteristics. It is only useful for looking up drug characteristics in NAMCS and NHAMCS for data years prior to 2006. For information about the current Ambulatory Care Drug Database, see the
New Ambulatory Care Drug Database System.

Ambulatory Care Drug Database System

Drug Code: A unique NCHS-assigned, 5-digit code applied to each entry name mentioned in the NAMCS or NHAMCS.
Drug Name: The specific drug identifier entered by the physician. It corresponds with the entry made on any prescription or medical order. It may be either a trade/brand/proprietary or generic name, but not a drug class.
Generic Code: A unique NCHS-assigned, 5-digit code applied to each generic/nonproprietary/active ingredient name.
Generic Name: The official name assigned to every drug entity by the United States Pharmacopeia/United States Adopted Names or other responsible authorities. If the drug listed is a combination medication, this entry will read “combination” or “fixed combination” and will contain up to five active ingredients.
Ingredient Code: A unique NCHS-assigned, codes used to identify the single active ingredients of combination drugs. A maximum of 5 ingredients can be identified for each combination drug.
Ingredient Name: Used in combination products to identify an active ingredient.
Drug Mention:The 2002 estimate of drug mentions for each drug mentioned in the 2002 NAMCS and NHAMCS is provided. The drug mention rate is the number of mentions for that drug code per 10,000 ambulatory medical care visits in 2002. The physician’s entry of a pharmaceutical agent--by any route of administration--for prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Generic as well as brand-name drugs are included, as are nonprescription and prescription drugs. Along with all new drugs, the physician also records continued medications if the patient was specifically instructed or expected to continue the medication.
NDC Class Category: A code used to identify each of 20 major classes to which the drug entry may belong. (Adapted from Standard Drug Classifications in the National Drug Code (NDC) Directory, 1995). The two-digit categories are general and represent all sub-categories (e.g. Antimicrobial agents) and the specific four-digit categories represent the breakouts of the general category (e.g. Penicillin). The general two-digit codes will include medications which do not fit into any of the sub-categories (4-digit codes).
Prescription Status: A code designed to identify the Federal legal status (prescription or nonprescription) of the drug entry. Prescription drugs are also referred to as legend drugs.
Composition Status: A code used to distinguish between single active ingredient drug product and a fixed active ingredient combination drug product. From this point on a fixed active ingredient combination drug product will be referred to as a combination drug.
DEA Status: Controlled medications, because of their significant potential for dependence or abuse and their possible diversion into illicit channels, are regulated under Federal law by the Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 characterizes each controlled drug into one of five schedules. Schedule I drugs, like heroin and LSD, have a higher potential for abuse and no current accepted medical usefulness for treatment in the United States. Each successive schedule, II-V, reflects a decreasing degree of dependence and potential for abuse.