Comparative Study on Classification and Coding of ATC and Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine

OBJECTIVE To compare the classification and coding between Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical (ATC) and Chinese traditional patent medicine to provide some advice and reference for the standardization， information and internationalization of TCPM. METHODS ATC classification and coding was compared with those of Classification and Coding of Chinese Materia Medica， China Pharmacy Pharmainfo Net (CPPN) and Japanese Kampo medicine through descriptive analysis method in classification levels， classification basis and coding approaches to attain some experience and effect for classification and coding of Chinese patent medication. RESULTS The classification methods of Chinese traditional patent medicine according to diseases and syndromes， effect and comprehensive condition are drawing lessons from ATC model， more strict logic， partially achieved the connection with ATC. CONCLUSION Classification of Chinese traditional patent medicine can take example from that of ATC and gradually gets in line with international classification and coding.