RxNorm is a standardized nomenclature for clinical drugs produced by the National Library of Medicine to improve drug terminology interoperability and patient safety. It represents drugs in a Semantic Normal Form defined by ingredients, strengths, and dosage. RxNorm contains prescription and over-the-counter drug names in the US, excluding formulations with more than three ingredients. It is organized by concept and used in applications like RxNav and MyMedicationList by researchers, doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
2. Brief History In 2001, National Library of Medicine (NLM) began experimenting in modeling drugs in the Unified Medical Language System. The area clinical drugs was seen important in the growing issue of patient safety. Aim was to develop improved interoperability of drug terminology. RxNorm is a standardized nomenclature for clinical drugs produced by the NLM. The RxNorm project approached clinical representation in a number of steps.
3. Brief History The initial effort was to define Semantic Normal Form (SNF) to represent clinical drugs. SNF’s are canonical representations as defined by their strengths, active ingredients and orderable dosage form. There are two SNF’s created for every clinical drug: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm/history.html UMLS Basics: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/online_learning/glossary.htm
4. Purpose of Vocabulary The need of a standardized nomenclature for a smooth exchange of information. The goal is to allow various systems, using different terms to be able to share information effectively.
5. RxNorm: Uses and applications RxNorm contains the names of prescriptions and many nonprescription formulations that exist in the US. Over the counter drugs will be added when reliable information about the medicine can be found. Medications with more than three ingredients are not represented at this time. RxNorm is organized by concept: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm/overview.html
6. RxNorm Uses and applications: 1. RxNav http://mor.nlm.nih.gov/download/rxnav/ 2. MyMedication List http://mml.nlm.nih.gov/ 3. RxTerms https://wwwcf.nlm.nih.gov/umlslicense/rxtermApp/rxTerm.cfm
7. users Researchers, doctors, pharmacists and all health professionals. Pretty much anyone can use some features that are applicable to them.