DRUG_CODE

A unique code to identify a drug product.

PRODUCT_CATEGORIZATION

Category of drug.

CLASS

The class identifies whether the drug is for human use, veterinary use or used as a radiopharmaceutical or a disinfectant.

DRUG_IDENTIFICATION_NUMBER

The Drug Identification Number (DIN) is the 8 digit number located on the label of prescription and over-the-counter drug products that have been evaluated by the Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD) and approved for sale in Canada.

BRAND_NAME

This is the brand name approved by Health Canada, under which the drug product may be marketed.

DESCRIPTOR

The description field displays important product information that might differentiate between two identical products (i.e. same product formulations with or without preservative) or to indicate specific characteristic of a product (i.e. single use syringe).

PEDIATRIC_FLAG

Indicates whether or not a pediatric drug product.

ACCESSION_NUMBER

NA

NUMBER_OF_AIS

The number of active ingredients.

LAST_UPDATE_DATE

The date this record was last updated.

AI_GROUP_NO

The Active Ingredient Group (AIG) Number is a 10 digit number that identifies products that have the same active ingredient(s) and ingredient strength(s). For more information see: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database/terminology.html

CLASS_F

The class identifies whether the drug is for human use, veterinary use or used as a radiopharmaceutical or a disinfectant. (French)

BRAND_NAME_F

Brand name of the drug (French).

DESCRIPTOR_F

Description of product in terms of format, dosage etc... (French)

DRUG_CODE

Another way to identify unique drugs.

CURRENT_STATUS_FLAG

The status of a drug changes over time (e.g. approved, notice of compliance issued, marketed, dormant, cancelled, etc.). If this flag = Y then the status of that record is the latest status in the DPD.

STATUS

The statuses listed below are a direct representation of the status available in DPD Online Query and the description of each status can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database/terminology.html

HISTORY_DATE

NA

STATUS_F

Status in French.

LOT_NUMBER

The specific lot number associated with that DIN/package.

EXPIRATION_DATE

Expiration date of the drug package.

Report ID

This is what identifies unique records. Drugs are reported in shortage by package size and SKU, but SKU isn't included in the shortages data as of yet. This means that a single drug can have multiple active shortage reports at the same time, if more than one package size/SKU is affected. And they all look like duplicates, but in fact are unique shortage reports. Report ID is the only way to identify each report as being unique.

Drug Identification Number

The Drug Identification Number (DIN) is the 8 digit number located on the label of prescription and over-the-counter drug products that have been evaluated by the Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD) and approved for sale in Canada.

Report Type

This will be Shortage or Discontinuation.

Brand name

This is the brand name approved by Health Canada, under which the drug product may be marketed.

Company Name

The name of the company that reported the shortage. In most cases this is the same as the company listed in the DPD (i.e. the DIN owner), but every once in a while it's just the company contracted to sell the product in Canada, not the actual owner of the DIN.

Common or Proper name

Another name for the drug that isn't the brand name (for generics sometimes it's the same as what is listed as the Brand Name) - this might be populated directly from the DPD.

Ingredients

The list of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the product - this is populated directly from the DPD.

Strength(s)

The strength of the product that is affected by the shortage.

Packaging size

The package size of the product that is affected by the shortage.

Route of administration

Indicates the part of the body on which, through which or into which the product is to be introduced (e.g. oral, topical, intramuscular, rectal). A product can have more than one route of administration (e.g. intravenous, intramuscular, intra articular).

Shortage status

Status of the shortage.

Dosage form(s)

The dosage forms of the product that are affected by the shortage.

ATC Code

Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical (ATC) Classification System is used as a tool for drug utilization research in order to improve quality of drug use.

In the ATC classification system, the drugs are divided into different groups according to the organ or system on which they act and their chemical, pharmacological and therapeutical properties.

For more information see:

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database/terminology.html

ATC description

This is the description that goes along with the ATC Code - populated directly from the DPD.

Anticipated start date

The anticipated start date of the drug shortage.

Actual start date

The actual start date of the drug shortage.

Estimated end date

The estimated end date of the drug shortage.

Actual end date

The actual end date of the drug shortage.

Reason

The reason for the shortage.

Date Created

The date the record was created.

Date Updated

The date the record was updated.