NPN, DIN-HM and DIN

This week we will discuss what is drug according to Health Canada and what are NPN, DIN-HM and DIN.
Health Canada plays an active role in ensuring that we have access to safe and effective drugs and health products. The Department strives to maintain a balance between the potential health benefits and risks posed by all drugs and health products.

What is Drug?
Under the Food and Drugs Act, a drug includes any substance or mixture of substances manufactured, sold or represented for use in:
1. the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of a disease, disorder or abnormal physical state, or its symptoms, in human beings or animals;
2. restoring, correcting or modifying organic functions in human beings or animals; or
3. disinfection in premises in which food is manufactured, prepared or kept.

NPN vs. DIN-HM vs. DIN
Natural Product Number (NPN): is an eight digit numerical code following the acronym NPN assigned to each natural health product approved to be marketed under the Natural Health Products Regulations.
Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM): is an eight (8) digit numerical code following the acronym DIN-HM assigned to each homeopathic medicine approved to be marketed under the Natural Health Products Regulations.
Drug Identification Number (DIN):
A DIN is an eight (8) digit numerical code preceded by the prefix DIN which is assigned to each drug product marketed under or in accordance with the Food and Drugs Act and Food and Drug Regulations. Toothpaste and sunblock are under this category and have DINs

Drug Product Database
The DPD contains product specific information on drugs approved for use in Canada. The database is managed by Health Canada and includes human pharmaceutical and biological drugs, veterinary drugs and disinfectant products. It contains approximately 23,000 products which companies have notified Health Canada as being marketed.
Information available in the database includes the following parameters:
1. Brand Name
2. Drug Identification Number (DIN)
3. Company
4. Active Ingredient(s)
5. Route of Administration
6. Product Monograph (PM)
7. Pharmaceutical Form
8. Package Sizes
9. Therapeutic Classification (AHFS and ATC)
10. Active Ingredient Group (AIG) Number
11. Pharmaceutical Standard
12. Veterinary Species
Drug Product Database http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/databasdon/index-eng.php
go to "DPD online query" at the bottom