What is the ATC index and who decides about new ATC codes?
ATC is an abbreviation for Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system. In the classification system drugs are classified into different groups according to the organ or system on which they act and their chemical, pharmacological and therapeutic properties. The classification system has five different levels. The drugs are divided into 14 main groups (1st level), with one pharmacological/therapeutic subgroup (2nd level). The 3rd and 4th levels are chemical/pharmacological/therapeutic subgroups and the 5th level is the chemical substance. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th levels are often used to identify pharmacological subgroups when that is considered more appropriate than therapeutic or chemical subgroups. The complete classification of metformin illustrates the structure of the code: A Alimentary tract and metabolism (1st level, anatomical main group) A10 Drugs used in diabetes (2nd level, therapeutic subgroup) A10B Oral blood glucose lowering drugs (3rd level, pharmacological subgro
