Click on a topic below the Source Synopsis section to display details.
Source Synopsis
Web site:
http://www.pbm.va.gov/NationalFormulary.asp
Authority
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) produces the National Drug File (NDF).
Purpose
NDF is a centrally maintained electronic drug list used by the VHA hospitals and clinics. Facilities use the NDF to check drug interactions, to manage orders, and to send outpatient prescriptions to regional automated mail-out pharmacies.
Description
NDF includes information on clinical drugs, drug classes, ingredients and National Drug Code (NDC) Directory codes.
RxNorm Scope
The RxNorm representation of NDF includes only clinical drugs, ingredients, drug classes, and NDC Codes for clinical drugs and is referred to as VANDF in RxNorm.
The RxNorm representation of NDF has approximately 27,921 clinical drugs; 8,058 ingredients; and 578 drug classes.
Update Frequency
NDF is updated every six weeks.
RxNorm Update Frequency
NDF is updated monthly in RxNorm.
Sites Consulted
- Carter JS, Brown SH, Bauer BA, Elkin PL, Erlbaum MS, Froehling DA, Lincoln MJ, Rosenbloom ST, Wahner-Roedler DL, Tuttle MS. Categorical information in pharmaceutical terminologies. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2006:116-20. Cited in: PubMed; PMID 17238314. Available from: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1839555
- Nelson SJ, Brown SH, Erlbaum MS, Olson N, Powell T, Carlsen B, Carter J, Tuttle MS, Hole WT. A semantic normal form for clinical drugs in the UMLS: early experiences with the VANDF. Proc AMIA Symp. 2002:557-61. Cited in: PubMed; PMID 12463886. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2244318/.
Metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Short Name | National Drug File |
| Family | VANDF |
| Source Restriction Level | 0 |
| Language | ENG |
| License Contact | John Kilbourne, M.D. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Washington DC United States John.Kilbourne@va.gov http://www.pbm.va.gov/default.aspx |
| Content Contact | John Kilbourne, M.D. John.Kilbourne@va.gov http://www.pbm.va.gov/default.aspx |
Source Representation
This section lists specific source data elements and provides information on their representation in RxNorm.
Summary of Changes
There are no changes since the last monthly release.
Source Provided Files:
The tables below are processed in RxNorm.
Many data fields are not explicitly represented in RxNorm. In the Representation column, "Not applicable" indicates fields not used; "Used internally" indicates fields used to cross-check data internally.
Descriptions of the files and many of the fields are currently unavailable and are omitted.
| Table Name |
|---|
| dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID |
| dbo_50_416_DrugIngredients_VUID |
| dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID |
| dbo_50_606_DosageForm_VUID |
| dbo_50_64_VaDispenseUnit_VUID |
| dbo_50_6814_VaPrdctActiveIngrdnts_VUID |
| dbo_50_6_VaGeneric_VUID |
| dbo_50_67_Ndcupn_VUID |
Source-Provided Files: Details
The following are the fields in the VANDF source tables.
dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID
| # | Field Name | Representation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Id | Not applicable |
| 2 | Ien | Used internally |
| 3 | File | Not applicable |
| 4 | Name | RXNCONSO.STR where TTY = CD |
| 5 | VaGenericName | Used internally |
| 6 | DosageForm | Not applicable |
| 7 | Strength | Not applicable |
| 8 | Units | Not applicable |
| 9 | NationalFormularyName | RXNSAT.ATV where RXNSAT.ATN = NF_NAME |
| 10 | VaPrintName | RXNCONSO.STR where TTY = AB |
| 11 | VaProductIdentifier | RXSAT.ATV where RXNSAT.ATN = VMO |
| 12 | VaDispenseUnit | Not applicable |
| 13 | PrimaryVaDrugClass | Used internally |
| 14 | CsFederalSchedule | RXNSAT.ATV where RXNSAT.ATN = DCSA |
| 15 | InactivationDate | RXNSAT.ATV where RXNSAT.ATN = NF_INACTIVATE |
| 16 | ExcldDrgdrgIntrctnCk | RXSAT.ATV where RXNSAT.ATN = EXCLUDE_DI_CHECK |
| 17 | MasterEntryForVuid | Not applicable |
| 18 | VUID | RXNCONSO.CODE where TTY = CD or AB |
| 19 | SinglemultiSourceProduct | RXNSAT.ATV where RXNSAT.ATN = SNGL_OR_MULT_SRC_PRD |
| 20 | TransmitToCmop | RXNSAT.ATV where RXNSAT.ATN = NDF_TRANSMIT_TO_CMOP |
| 21 | NationalFrmlryIndctr | RXNSAT.ATV where RXNSAT.ATN = NFI |
| 22 | MaxSingleDose | Not applicable |
| 23 | MinSingleDose | Not applicable |
| 24 | MaxDailyDose | Not applicable |
| 25 | MinDailyDose | Not applicable |
| 26 | MaxCumulativeDose | Not applicable |
| 27 | DssNumber | Not applicable |
| 28 | MasterEntryForVuid | Not applicable |
| 29 | ServiceCode | Not applicable |
| 30 | Patch_Num | Not applicable |
| 31 | Date | Not applicable |
dbo_50_416_DrugIngredients_VUID
| # | Field | Representation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Id | Not applicable |
| 2 | File | Not applicable |
| 3 | Ien | Used internally |
| 4 | Name | RXNCONSO.STR for TTY = IN |
| 5 | PrimaryIngredient | Not applicable |
| 6 | InactivationDate | Used internally |
| 7 | MasterEntryForVuid | Used internally |
| 8 | VUID | RXNCONSO.CODE for TTY = IN |
| 9 | Patch_Num | Not applicable |
| 10 | Date | Not applicable |
dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID
| # | Field | Representation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Id | Not applicable |
| 2 | File | Not applicable |
| 3 | Ien | Used internally |
| 4 | Code | RXNSAT.ATV where ATN = VAC RXNSAT.ATV (together with Classification) where ATN = VA_CLASS_NAME |
| 5 | VUID | RXNCONSO.CODE for TTY = PT |
| 6 | Classification | RXNCONSO.STR for TTY = PT RXNSAT.ATV (together with Code) where ATN = VA_CLASS_NAME |
| 7 | ParentClass | RXNSAT.ATV where ATN = PARENT_CLASS |
| 8 | Type | RXNSAT.ATV where ATN = DRUG_CLASS_TYPE |
| 9 | MasterEntryForVuid | Not applicable |
| 10 | Patch_Num | Not applicable |
| 11 | Date | Not applicable |
dbo_50_606_DosageForm_VUID
| # | Field | Representation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Id | Not applicable |
| 2 | File | Not applicable |
| 3 | Ien | Used internally |
| 4 | Name | RXNSAT.ATV where RXNSAT.ATN = DDF |
| 5 | Verb | Not applicable |
| 6 | Noun | Not applicable |
| 7 | Preposition | Not applicable |
| 8 | InactivationDate | Not applicable |
| 9 | Conjunction | Not applicable |
| 10 | Patch_Num | Not applicable |
| 11 | Date | Not applicable |
dbo_50_64_VaDispenseUnit_VUID
| # | Field | Representation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Id | Not applicable |
| 2 | File | Not applicable |
| 3 | Ien | Used internally |
| 4 | Name | RXNSAT.ATV where RXNSAT.ATN = VA_DISPENSE_UNIT |
| 5 | InactivationDate | Not applicable |
| 6 | Patch_Num | Not applicable |
| 7 | Date | Not applicable |
dbo_50_6814_VaPrdctActiveIngrdnts_VUID
| # | Field | Representation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Id | Not applicable |
| 2 | ParentFile | Not applicable |
| 3 | File | Not applicable |
| 4 | ParentIen | Used internally |
| 5 | Ien | Used internally |
| 6 | ActiveIngredients | Not applicable |
| 7 | Strength | Not applicable |
| 8 | Units | Not applicable |
| 9 | Patch_Num | Not applicable |
| 10 | Date | Not applicable |
dbo_50_6_VaGeneric_VUID
| # | Field | Representation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Id | Not applicable |
| 2 | File | Not applicable |
| 3 | Ien | Used internally |
| 4 | Name | RXNCONSO.STR for TTY = IN |
| 5 | InactivationDate | Not applicable |
| 6 | MasterEntryForVuid | Not applicable |
| 7 | VUID | RXNCONSO.CODE for TTY = IN |
| 8 | Patch_Num | Not applicable |
| 9 | Date | Not applicable |
dbo_50_67_Ndcupn_VUID
| # | Field | Representation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Id | Not applicable |
| 2 | File | Not applicable |
| 3 | Ien | Not applicable |
| 4 | InactivationDate | Used internally |
| 5 | Manufacturer | Not applicable |
| 6 | NDC | RXNSAT.ATV where RXNSAT.ATN = NDC |
| 7 | Otxrxindicator | Not applicable |
| 8 | PackageSize | Not applicable |
| 9 | PackageType | Not applicable |
| 10 | SequenceNumber | Not applicable |
| 11 | Tradename | Not applicable |
| 12 | UPN | Not applicable |
| 13 | VaProductName | Used internally |
| 14 | Patch_Num | Not applicable |
| 15 | Date | Not applicable |
RxNorm Representation
This section lists RxNorm data elements and traces them back to the specific VANDF data that populates them.
Summary of Changes
There are no changes since the last monthly release.
Source Provided Files:
The tables below are processed in RxNorm.
Descriptions of the files and many of the fields are currently unavailable and are omitted.
| Table Name |
|---|
| dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID |
| dbo_50_416_DrugIngredients_VUID |
| dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID |
| dbo_50_606_DosageForm_VUID |
| dbo_50_64_VaDispenseUnit_VUID |
| dbo_50_6814_VaPrdctActiveIngrdnts_VUID |
| dbo_50_6_VaGeneric_VUID |
| dbo_50_67_Ndcupn_VUID |
RxNorm Identifiers:
Identifiers are assigned as follows:
| Identifier | Origin |
|---|---|
| CODE | dbo_50_416_DrugIngredients_VUID.VUID and dbo_50_6_VaGeneric_VUID.VUID for TTY = IN dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID.VUID for TTY = PT dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.VUID for TTY = AB dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.VUID for TTY = CD |
| SAUI | Not applicable |
| SCUI | Not applicable |
| SCUI | Not applicable |
Atoms (RXNCONSO):
| Term Type | Origin |
|---|---|
| CD | CODE = dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.VUID STR = dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.Name |
| AB | CODE = dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.VUID STR = dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.VaPrintName |
| IN | CODE = dbo_50_416_DrugIngredients_VUID.VUID and dbo_50_6_VaGeneric_VUID.VUID STR= dbo_50_416_DrugIngredients_VUID. NAME and dbo_50_6_VaGeneric_VUID.Name |
| PT | CODE = dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID.VUID STR = dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID.Classification |
| MTH_RXN_CD (RxNorm created atom) | If original source atom has more than one NDC and the NDCs have different meanings, the atom is duplicated. Duplicate MTH_RXN_CD atoms are created and the original atom is called a Base atom.* CODE = Same as original or Base atom STR = Same as original atom with a suffix Example: Base atom STR: ATROPINE SO4 0.4MG/ML INJ Duplicate atom STR: ATROPINE SO4 0.4MG/ML INJ_#1 ATROPINE SO4 0.4MG/ML INJ_#2 |
Relationships (RXNREL):
Clinical Drug (TTY = CD):
| Atom Type 1 | Atom Type 2 | Relationship | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Drug (CD) | Ingredient (IN) | has_ingredient | dbo_50_6814_VaPrdctActiveIngrdnts_VUID.ParentIen = dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.Ien or dbo_50_416_DrugIngredients_VUID.Ien = dbo_50_6814_VaPrdctActiveIngrdnts_VUID.Ien and dbo_50_6_VaGeneric_VUID.Ien = dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.VaGenericName |
| Clinical Drug (CD) | Designated Preferred Name (PT) | isa | dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID.Ien = dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.PrimaryVaDrugClass |
Abbreviated Drug (TTY = AB):
| Atom Type 1 | Atom Type 2 | Relationship | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbreviation in any source vocabulary (AB) | Clinical Drug (CD) | print_name_of | dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.Code = dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.Code |
Ingredient (TTY = IN):
| Atom Type 1 | Atom Type 2 | Relationship | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredient (IN) | Clinical Drug (CD) | ingredient_of | dbo_50_6814_VaPrdctActiveIngrdnts_VUID.ParentIen = dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.Ien or dbo_50_416_DrugIngredients_VUID.Ien = dbo_50_6814_VaPrdctActiveIngrdnts_VUID.Ien and dbo_50_6_VaGeneric_VUID.Ien = dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.VaGenericName |
Designated Preferred Name (PT):
| Atom Type 1 | Atom Type 2 | Relationship | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designated Preferred Name (PT) | Clinical Drug (CD) | isa | dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID.Ien = dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.PrimaryVaDrugClass |
Attributes (RXNSAT):
| Attribute Name (ATN) | Term Type (TTY) | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| DCSA | CD | dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.CsFederalSchedule |
| DDF | CD | dbo_50_606_DosageForm_VUID.Name |
| EXCLUDE_DI_CHECK | CD | dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.ExcldDrgdrgIntrctnCk |
| NDC | CD | dbo_50_67_Ndcupn_VUID.NDC |
| NDF_TRANSMIT_TO_CMOP | CD | dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.TransmitToCmop |
| NF_INACTIVATE | CD | dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.InactivationDate |
| NF_NAME | CD | dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.NationalFormularyName |
| NFI | CD | dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.NationalFrmlryIndctr |
| SNGL_OR_MULT_SRC_PRD | CD | dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.SinglemultiSourceProduct |
| VA_CLASS_NAME | CD | dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID.Code || dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID.Classification |
| VA_DISPENSE_UNIT | CD | dbo_50_64_VaDispenseUnit_VUID.Name |
| VA_GENERIC_NAME | CD | dbo_50_6_VaGeneric_VUID.Name |
| VAC | CD | dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID.Code |
| VMO | CD | dbo_50_68_VaProduct_VUID.VaProductIdentifier |
| DRUG_CLASS_TYPE | PT | dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID.Type |
| PARENT_CLASS | PT | dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID.ParentClass |
| VAC | PT | dbo_50_605_VaDrugClass_VUID.Code |
Data Examples with Sample Database Queries
This section lists source terminology specific data examples and sample database queries using Structured Query Language (SQL) to obtain the data. For more information about RxNorm data and files, see the RxNorm Technical Documentation.
Names and Codes in RXNCONSO.RRF
Here are sample source terminology code, source string, RxNorm Concept Unique Identifier (RXCUI), RxNorm string, term type (TTY), and suppress values.
| SOURCE_CODE | SOURCE_STR | RXCUI | RXNORM_STR | RXNORM_TTY | SUPPRESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4002412 | IBUPROFEN 200MG TAB | 310965 | Ibuprofen 200 MG Oral Tablet | SCD | N |
Here is a sample database query to retrieve the data above:
SELECT distinct rc1.code as source_code, rc1.str as source_str, rc1.rxcui, rc2.str as rxnorm_str, rc2.tty as rxnorm_tty , rc2.suppress
FROM rxnconso rc1, rxnconso rc2
WHERE rc1.code = '4002412'
AND rc1.sab = 'VANDF'
AND rc1.rxcui = rc2.rxcui
AND rc2.sab = 'RXNORM'
AND rc2.tty in ('SCD','SBD','GPCK','BPCK');
Names and Relationships in RXNCONSO.RRF and RXNREL.RRF
Here are sample source terminology code, source string, RXCUI, relationship name, RxNorm term type (TTY), RxNorm brand name, and suppress values.
| SOURCE_CODE | SOURCE_STR | RXCUI | RELA | RXNORM_TTY | RXNORM_BN | SUPPRESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4017840 | IBUPROFEN | 5640 | has_tradename | BN | Ibutab | N |
| 4017840 | IBUPROFEN | 5640 | has_tradename | BN | Motrin | N |
| 4017840 | IBUPROFEN | 5640 | has_tradename | BN | Wal-Profen | N |
Here is a sample database query to retrieve the data above:
SELECT distinct rc1.code as source_code, rc1.str as source_str, rc1.rxcui, rr.rela, rc2.tty as rxnorm_tty, rc2.str as rxnorm_bn, rc2.suppress
FROM rxnconso rc1, rxnrel rr, rxnconso rc2
WHERE rc1.code = '4017840'
AND rc1.sab = 'VANDF'
AND rc1.rxcui = rr.rxcui2
AND rr.rela = 'has_tradename'
AND rr.rxcui1 = rc2.rxcui
AND rc2.sab = 'RXNORM'
AND rc2.tty = 'BN'
ORDER BY suppress;
National Drug Code (NDC) and Names in RXNSAT.RRF and RXNCONSO.RRF
Here are sample source NDC, RXCUI, TTY, RxNorm string, and suppress values.
| NDC | RXCUI | RXNORM_TTY | RXNORM_STR | SUPPRESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000045048113 | 310965 | SCD | Ibuprofen 200 MG Oral Tablet | N |
| 000045048132 | 310965 | SCD | Ibuprofen 200 MG Oral Tablet | N |
| 000045048137 | 310965 | SCD | Ibuprofen 200 MG Oral Tablet | N |
| 000045077010 | 310965 | SCD | Ibuprofen 200 MG Oral Tablet | N |
Here is a sample database query to retrieve the data above:
SELECT distinct rs.atv as ndc, rs.rxcui, rc.tty as rxnorm_tty, rc.str as rxnorm_str, rs.suppress
FROM rxnsat rs, rxnconso rc
WHERE rs.atn = 'NDC'
AND rs.sab = 'VANDF'
AND rs.rxcui = rc.rxcui
AND rc.sab = 'RXNORM'
AND rc.tty in ('SCD','SBD','GPCK','BPCK')
AND rc.rxcui = '310965'
ORDER BY suppress;
Last Reviewed: November 2, 2020