Mapping to Virtual Medicinal Product Pack
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Rx-info maps all descriptions received from Trusts each month, with 92% of the total drug descriptions mapped to the dm+d. The remainder are manufactured items, items not yet listed on dm+d or items that are not in scope of the dm+d editorial policy (such as containers). Trust descriptions that are mapped to dm+d are mapped by the available information, as shown below:
● Generic medicine name only – mapped to VMP, but also to AMP if only one branded product on dm+d
● Brand name or generic manufacturer – mapped to brand and/or manufacturer
● Pack size stated or only one pack size available – mapped to virtual medicinal product pack (VMPP)
For ‘special order’ product, dm+d editorial policy is for a placeholder pack of 1 ‘each’ (tablet, capsules, ml or g) rather than a specified pack, therefore special order products are not usually mapped to a pack.
Similarly, for injections or infusions where the container type is not specified in the description and there is more than one type listed on dm+d (e.g. vial, bottle, ampoule, bag) the choice of container may vary to the one actually used by the Trust.
For more information take a look at the ‘Assumptions made in mapping document’ on the Support site.