MEDICATION REFERENCE TERMINOLOGY MED-RT

We standardized drug reference files using MED-RT, a Medication Reference Terminology that replaced the older NDF-RT in 2017. MED-RT improves upon NDF-RT by using advanced informatics tools and international standards to classify drugs and their relationships. JPSYS periodically updates MED-RT and builds new releases for the VHA to maintain consistent drug terminology. Many healthcare providers use MED-RT as part of their clinical vocabularies for standard drug classifications.

Working with the VA and FDA, we created and inserted Hierarchical Established Pharmacological Classes (EPCs) into MED-RT. We reviewed existing EPCs, identified those needing reclassification, and moved them under newly added hierarchical concepts. Currently, we update and publish MED-RT with content from RxNorm, MeSH, and FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL) files. Additionally, we support internal efforts to analyze newly approved FDA drugs and determine appropriate drug class placement. As more drugs fall outside existing classes, we define new classes to ensure accurate classification and clinical usability.

Since transitioning from NDF-RT in 2017, MED-RT has delivered significant benefits for VA systems and EHR interoperability. It supports multi-terminology environments, RxNorm-centric content, and the Distributed Terminology System (DTS) platform. With MED-RT, our team navigates four key standards: RxNorm, MeSH, SNOMED CT, and MED-RT. RxNorm supplies ingredient-level drug data; MeSH adds therapeutic indications; and SNOMED CT extends drug classification further. MED-RT expands this structure by detailing microbiological and physiological effects for deeper clinical understanding. It organizes content into six sections: Mechanisms of Action, Physiological Effects, FDA EPCs, Pharmacokinetics, and Therapeutic Categories.

  • RxNorm for prescribable medications, active ingredients, and relationships between them
  • MeSH for indexing chemical structure and therapeutics using its concept hierarchies
  • SNOMED CT International to aid in mapping between FDA pharmacologic classes and its product and substance hierarchies

 

 

Doctor prescribing medication