What does NDC stand for in the context of drug identification?

NDC stands for National Drug Code, which is a unique identifier assigned to medications in the United States. The NDC system is established and maintained by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is used to identify drug products approved for sale. Each NDC consists of three segments: the labeler code, the product code, and the package code, which together provide specific details about the manufacturer, formulation, and packaging of the drug. This standardized numbering system plays a crucial role in the identification of medications for healthcare providers, pharmacies, and regulatory agencies, facilitating the safe and efficient management of pharmaceuticals across the healthcare system.