What is ATC Classification?

ATC Classification (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System) is a system used to categorize and classify drugs and medical substances based on their anatomical target, therapeutic use, and chemical properties. It was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to standardize drug classification across different countries, helping in drug regulation, monitoring, and statistical analysis.

The ATC system groups drugs into categories, with each category representing a specific anatomical site or system affected by the drug, its therapeutic purpose, and its chemical composition. Drugs are classified in a hierarchical structure using a 5-character code, allowing for a detailed and organized categorization.

How to Categorize Drugs According to the ATC Classification?

The ATC Classification categorizes drugs using a hierarchical system based on three main criteria: anatomical target, therapeutic use, and chemical structure.

• Anatomical Level (First Character): The first The first character of the ATC code represents the anatomical system or organ affected by the drug. For example:
  • C stands for the cardiovascular system.
  • N represents the nervous system.
  • A refers to the alimentary tract and metabolism.
• Therapeutic Level (Second Character): The second level of the code classifies drugs based on their therapeutic effect or use. For example: C09 refers to agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system (such as ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers used for hypertension), N02 refers to analgesics (drugs used for pain relief), etc.
• Chemical Level (Third to Fifth Characters):The third, fourth, and fifth characters specify the chemical structure or active ingredient of the drug, detailing the specific pharmacological substance. For example: C09AA refers to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, with AA indicating the specific chemical composition within that group.

What are the applications and uses of ATC Classification in Pharmacovigilance?

The ATC Classification is crucial in pharmacovigilance for drug safety monitoring. Key applications include:

• Drug Safety Monitoring: Helps track and analyze the safety of drugs in the market by grouping them based on their effects. Enables easier identification of potential safety concerns within specific drug groups.
• Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) Reporting: LFacilitates reporting and categorizing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by linking them to specific drug groups or classes. Allows health authorities to spot trends in ADRs across similar drugs.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Organizes data on drug use and safety, making it easier to analyze patterns of drug-related problems. Supports large-scale studies on drug safety and effectiveness.
• Risk Management:Helps assess and manage risks associated with certain classes of drugs. Provides a framework for regulatory bodies to make informed decisions about the safety of drugs.
• Regulatory Actions: Assists in making regulatory decisions by identifying drug classes with higher safety concerns. Supports the development of safety guidelines and recommendations.
• Pharmaceutical Research: SUsed in clinical trials to identify potential side effects or risks associated with specific drug groups. Aids in post-marketing surveillance and ongoing research on drug safety.

DDReg’s Capabilities

At DDReg , we leverage the ATC Classification system to enhance our pharmacovigilance capabilities, ensuring robust safety monitoring for pharmaceutical products. By utilizing this classification, we can efficiently track, categorize, and analyze adverse drug reactions (ADRs) across specific drug groups, enabling us to detect safety concerns early. Our team uses this system to support comprehensive data collection and analysis, identify trends in drug-related issues, and manage risks effectively