This blog covers the following topics:
- Exploring various dictionaries utilized in pharmacovigilance.
- Purpose and key facts about the dictionaries used in pharmacovigilance.
In the World of Medical Terminologies!
MedDRA, WHODD, and Core Company Dictionary serves a major role in regulatory activities. These entities are more than just dictionaries; they specialized libraries, each with distinct purposes.
Table of Contents:
- Brief Description on MedDRA
- Purpose of MedDRA
- Few Interesting Facts About MedDRA
- WHODD – An Overview
- Purpose of WHODD
- Few Facts About WHODD
- Core Company Dictionary
- Thoughts
- References
Let’s explore their differences and uncover their individual contributions to the realm of healthcare.
MedDRA
MedDRA, which stands for “Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities“. Beyond the Misconception. It is a globally recognized and widely used standardized terminology in the field of pharmacovigilance and clinical research.
MedDRA isn’t merely a drug dictionary; it’s a dynamic tool meticulously designed for precision. It serves as a specialized dictionary, guiding us in the realms of Adverse Reactions/Events, Diagnoses, Medical conditions and Laboratory Readings.
Each code is a unique numeric gateway, simplifying complex medical data for comprehensive understanding and informed decision-making.
Developed and maintained by the “International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH)”.
Pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies, and healthcare professionals use MedDRA to classify and analyze adverse events and reactions associated with medical products, including drugs, vaccines, and medical devices.
Purpose
- Providing a common language for reporting and analyzing safety data.
- MedDRA enhances the efficiency and accuracy in regulatory activities.
- It allows for consistent communication and data exchange among healthcare professionals and regulatory authorities worldwide.
- Ensuring a higher level of patient safety and facilitating robust decision-making in the healthcare industry.
Interesting Facts about MedDRA
- Contrary to common misconception, MedDRA is not a drug dictionary.
- It also does not serve as a product coding dictionary for various items, including devices and medicinal products.
- MedDRA originally conceived in 1990 and gained formal regulation under Swiss law on October 23, 2015.
- It offers the option of subscription basis for your use case beyond its regulatory activities.
- It developed by the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) to streamline regulatory processes.
- MedDRA is not designed to function as a dictionary for equipment, devices, or diagnostic products.
- Currently, MedDRA had published in 11 different languages.
Medical dictionaries vary from one another, each developed for unique purposes that significantly aid in healthcare.
📢 If you’re interested in exploring alternatives to MedDRA in the realm of medical dictionaries, including those utilized within pharmacovigilance, consider delving into the diverse range of options available.
WHODD
WHODD stands for “World Health Organization Drug (Data/Dictionary)”. It is a standardized resource maintained by the World Health Organization that provides internationally recognized names for pharmaceutical substances.
WHODD helps in accurately identifying drugs, ensuring consistency in medical communication and research, and enhancing patient safety globally.
Its is the actual Drug dictionary serves it purpose solely of Drug Coding. It is the international classification of Medicines. It developed by WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring and managing by the Uppsala Monitoring Centre.
This dictionary is the definitive source for coding drugs, focusing primarily on general terms. In essence, it allows for product coding based on generic names rather than specific product names, broadening its applicability in the pharmaceutical landscape.
Purpose
In pharmacovigilance, WHODD plays a key role by assisting in coding concomitant drugs, regardless of their brand names. Even if a report specifies the product name of a concomitant medication, we code it using its generic components.
This practice is common in clinical trials, pharmacovigilance, and regulatory processes. There is a growing emphasis on submitting drug data in a standardized manner, making WHODD widely used and recognized.
WHODD uses special and unique codes for each molecule. These codes made up of 11 Alpha-numeric codes and numbers. These contains three parts in it. WHODD can even code different forms like salts, plant parts, and extracts. It helps organize and identify various substances in a simple way.
Facts about WHODD
- WHODrug data covers both conventional medicines and herbal remedies.
- As well as biotech and blood products, diagnostic substances and contrast media.
- It also work on subscription basis.
- Do you know add-ons also available named WHODrug Koda- The coding engine is an automated coding service custom-built by UMC.
Core Company Dictionary
Core Company Dictionary is a database/library which we use in the purpose of coding our suspected company drug.
This dictionary solely serves and designed exclusively for the company and by the company who you work for, the purpose of coding company specific product belong to your client’s product.
How it differs from WHODD? It differs in the aspects of coding only your limited company product, you can use to code by brand/product name.
Introducing the Core Company Dictionary. Your Tailored Solution for Precise product (Drug) Coding.
Unlike WHODD, this exclusive database meticulously crafted for your company’s unique needs.
This dictionary exclusively utilized for coding your in-house products, specifically those associated with your company. In other words, it tailored for coding your suspected or confirmed products, ensuring precise categorization within your company’s portfolio.
Code by brand or product name, ensuring seamless integration into your company’s pharmaceutical portfolio. Experience precision like never before!
The term ‘core company dictionary’ can vary based on specific contexts or the preferences of individual companies. Internally, organizations might have unique abbreviations or terms for this concept. Here, I’m using the common term as it’s generally aware.
Final thoughts
This blog focuses on a unique topic that isn’t widely discussed. We’ve tried our best to explain it in a simple and clear way. If you’re new to these libraries, we hope this blog helps clear your doubts. It’s specifically written in aim for beginners in mind.
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