What are the components of an NDC number?

The National Drug Code (NDC) is a unique identifier for medications that consists of three segments, each with a specific number of digits. The correct structure of an NDC number is made up of 5 digits for the manufacturer, followed by 4 digits for the specific drug, and finally, 2 digits representing the package size.

Understanding this structure is crucial for pharmacy technicians, as it helps in identifying and managing medications accurately. Each component provides essential information: the manufacturer code indicates who produces the drug, the drug code identifies the specific formulation and strength of the medication, and the package size code tells the quantity in which the drug is distributed.

This format allows for efficient organization and tracking of pharmaceuticals in the healthcare system, ensuring that healthcare providers can accurately dispense the right medications to patients.