The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system is a standardized system for classifying drugs and other medical substances. The system is maintained by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is used globally for drug classification and coding purposes. The ATC classification system is based on the anatomical, therapeutic, and chemical properties of the drug, which helps to identify drugs based on their active ingredients and their therapeutic uses. The system consists of seven alphanumeric levels, with each level representing a different aspect of the drug classification. The first level of the ATC code consists of the anatomical main group, which is based on the organ or system on which the drug acts. The second level consists of the therapeutic subgroup, which describes the therapeutic use of the drug. The third level consists of the pharmacological subgroup, which describes the mode of action of the drug. The fourth level consists of the chemical subgroup, which describes the chemical structure of the drug. The fifth level is the specific chemical substance, which identifies the active ingredient of the drug. The sixth level is the preparation, which describes the formulation of the drug. The seventh and final level is the packaging, which describes the packaging and administration of the drug. ATC codes are used for many purposes, including drug registration, reimbursement, and drug utilization studies. The use of a standardized coding system like the ATC classification system helps to ensure consistency and accuracy in drug classification and coding, making it easier to compare and analyze drug utilization data across different regions and countries.

1. Welcome
Introduction to ATC Coding
Syed Shafa Raoof
Pharm.D VIth
year
028/022023
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2. Index
• Introduction
• Definition of ATC
• Role of World Health Organization (WHO)
• Purpose of ATC Coding
• Uses of ATC Coding
• Applications of ATC Codes
• References
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3. Importance of Text
Pharmacy technicians are required to have a basic understanding of
drug classification to understand how and where a given drug works
in the receiver body and its therapeutic use.
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4. Definition
ATC: Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical drug classification system
• The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system is a
drug classification system that classifies the active ingredients of
drugs according to the organ (or) system on which they act and
their therapeutic, pharmacological, and chemical properties.
• Active Ingredients: it is the ingredient in the medication that
causes the effect. (shows therapeutic effect)
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5. Role of World Health Organization (WHO)
• The WHO publishes guidelines for the ATC drug classification
and DDD assignment
• DDD assignment = Defined Daily Dose
• This document is updated yearly and can be found in the WHO
website.
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6. Purpose of ATC Coding
• A unique code assigned to medicine according to the organ (or)
system it works on and how it works.
• The main purpose of ATC coding is to serve as a drug use monitoring
and research tool to improve the quality of drug use.
• This system does not imply an assessment of the efficacy (or) relative
efficacy of drugs and drug groups.
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7. Classification
• Level 1: the first level of the
code indicates the major
anatomical groups and consists
of one letter. There are 14
main groups.
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Code Content
A Alimentary tract and metabolism
B Blood and blood forming organs
C Cardiovascular system
D Dermatologist
G Genito-urinary system and sex hormones
H Systemic hormonal preparations, excluding sex hormones and insulin
J Anti-infectives for systemic use
L Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents
M Musculo-skeletal system
N Nervous system
P Antiparasitic products, insecticides and repellents
R Respiratory system
S Sensory organs
V Various

8. Classification
• Level 2: the second level of code indicates the treatment subgroup and consists
of two digits.
• Example: C03 Diuretics
• Level 3: the third level of the code indicates the therapeutic/pharmacologic
subgroup and consists of one letter
• Example: C03C Diuretics
• Level 4: the fourth level of the code indicates the
chemical/therapeutic/pharmacological subgroup and consists of one letter.
• Example: C03CA Diuretics
• Level 5: the fifth level of the code indicates the chemical substance and consists
of two digits
• Example: C03CA01 Diuretics
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9. Organization of the ATC system
• 1st level: anatomical site of action
where it acts in the body
• 2nd level: therapeutic subgroup
and what it is used for
• 3rd/4thlevel: pharmacologic
subgroup or a further therapeutic
class or chemical class or chemical
class
o Type of drug or more specific use for
the drug or chemical class of drug
• 5th level: chemical substance the
name of the actual drug
• 1st level: A (alimentary tract and
metabolism)
• 2nd level: A02 drugs for acid-
related disorders
• 3rd/4thlevel: A02B drugs for
peptic ulcer disease and
gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD)
• 4th level: Ao2BX other drugs for peptic
ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD)
• 5th level: Ao2BX02 sucralfate
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Drugs are classified at 5 different levels

10. Sucralfate
Drugs for the acid-related disorder
𝐴02𝐵𝑋02
• 𝐴02𝐵𝑋02 → 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑓𝑎𝑡𝑒
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Peptic ulcer and GERD
Sucralfate
GERD
Alimentary tract and
metabolism

11. Application of ATC Codes
• Relationship between chemical structure and analogous drugs
• Pharmacology, mechanism of action, and relationship to analogous drugs
• Information regarding the therapeutic use
• Proposed ATC classification with justification based on evidence provided
marketing authorization status
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12. References
• https://www.slideserve.com/giovanni-lynagh/intro-to-atc-drug-codes-
dari
• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatomical_Therapeutic_Chemical_Cla
ssification_System
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13. Thank You!
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