ATCsystemet
ATCsystemet (the ATC classification system) is an internationally used method for classifying active substances in medicines according to the organ or system on which they act and their therapeutic, pharmacological and chemical properties. Developed under the auspices of the World Health Organization in the 1970s, the system is maintained and updated by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology.
The ATC structure is hierarchical and comprises five levels. The first level is an anatomical main group
Applications of ATCsystemet include drug utilization research, pharmacoepidemiology, health policy planning, reimbursement systems and international comparisons
Limitations include periodic revisions that may lag behind market changes, incomplete coverage of combination products or