What is the main purpose of the National Drug Code (NDC) system?

The main purpose of the National Drug Code (NDC) system is to identify and catalog medications in the United States. The NDC is a unique identifier for each drug, providing essential information such as the manufacturer, product, and package size. This coding system ensures consistency and accuracy in the tracking and managing of drugs across various healthcare settings, enhancing the ability of healthcare professionals to provide the correct medication to patients. Additionally, the NDC is used for billing and claims processing in both public and private health programs, facilitating better communication among pharmacies, healthcare providers, and insurance companies.

This systematic organization of medications greatly aids in drug inventory management and contributes to public health safety by allowing for easier identification of recalled or problematic medications.