NDC Number (National Drug Code)
The NDC (National Drug Code) is a unique 10-digit, 3-segment numeric identifier assigned to each medication product in the United States, identifying the labeler, product, and package size.
Exam Tip
NDC = 3 segments: labeler (manufacturer) + product (drug/strength/form) + package (size). FDA assigns labeler codes. Essential for billing and product identification on the ExCPT.
What Is an NDC Number?
The National Drug Code (NDC) is a universal product identifier for human drugs in the United States. The FDA maintains the NDC Directory, which contains information on all drugs commercially distributed. NDC numbers are used in prescription processing, insurance billing, inventory management, and regulatory reporting.
NDC Number Format
The NDC is a 10-digit number divided into three segments:
| Segment | Digits | Identifies |
|---|---|---|
| Labeler Code | 4-5 digits | The manufacturer, repacker, or distributor (assigned by FDA) |
| Product Code | 3-4 digits | The drug formulation (strength, dosage form, route) |
| Package Code | 1-2 digits | The package size and type |
Common NDC Formats
| Format | Example | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 5-4-2 | 12345-6789-01 | Most common format |
| 5-4-1 | 12345-6789-0 | Some manufacturers |
| 5-3-2 | 12345-678-01 | Some manufacturers |
| 4-4-2 | 1234-5678-01 | Some manufacturers |
NDC on the Prescription Label
| Information from NDC | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Labeler | Identifies manufacturer (brand vs. generic source) |
| Product | Confirms correct drug, strength, and dosage form |
| Package | Verifies correct package size for billing |
NDC vs. Other Drug Identifiers
| Identifier | Description | Assigned By |
|---|---|---|
| NDC | Universal product code for drugs | FDA |
| Lot Number | Specific manufacturing batch | Manufacturer |
| DEA Number | Prescriber/pharmacy registration | DEA |
| GPI | Generic Product Identifier (therapeutic class) | Medi-Span |
Why NDC Matters for Pharmacy Technicians
- Used for insurance claim adjudication (billing)
- Scanning NDC barcode during dispensing verification
- Inventory ordering and management
- Identifying the correct product during selection
- Required for all pharmacy claims processing
Exam Alert
NDC numbers are tested in the Dispensing Process domain (55% of ExCPT). Know the 3-segment format (labeler-product-package), that the FDA assigns labeler codes, and that NDC is essential for accurate billing and product identification.
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Related Terms
DAW Codes (Dispense As Written)
DAW codes are standardized numeric codes (0-9) used on pharmacy claims to indicate whether a brand-name or generic drug should be dispensed and who is requesting the specific product.
Adjudication (Pharmacy)
Adjudication is the real-time electronic process by which a pharmacy submits a prescription claim to a patient's insurance plan and receives an immediate approval, rejection, or request for additional information.
Lot Number
A lot number is a unique identifier assigned by a drug manufacturer to a specific batch of medication produced at the same time and under the same conditions, used for tracking, quality control, and recall purposes.
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