November Release - 11/02/2020
For additional information about RxNorm releases, including scripts for loading the RxNorm data into Oracle and MySQL databases, read the RxNorm Technical Documentation.
Sources
The following sources with version names in bold have been updated since the previous RxNorm release:
| Source Name | SAB | Version |
|---|---|---|
| DrugBank | DRUGBANK | DRUGBANK5.0_2020_10_01 |
| Gold Standard Drug Database | GS | GS_2020_10_08 |
| Multum MediSource Lexicon | MMSL | MMSL_2020_10_01 |
| Micromedex RED BOOK | MMX | MMX_2020_10_12 |
| Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) | MSH | MSH2020_2020_07_16 |
| FDA Structured Product Labels | MTHSPL | MTHSPL_2020_10_23 |
| FDB MedKnowledge (formerly NDDF Plus) | NDDF | NDDF_2020_10_07 |
| RxNorm normalized names and codes | RXNORM | RXNORM_20AA_201102F |
| Veterans Health Administration National Drug File | VANDF | VANDF_2020_10_01 |
The following sources have not been updated since the previous RxNorm release:
| Source Name | SAB | Version |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System | ATC | ATC_2020 |
| Vaccines Administered | CVX | CVX_2020_08_27 |
| CMS Formulary Reference File | MTHCMSFRF | MTHCMSFRF_2020 |
| US Edition of SNOMED CT (drug information) | SNOMEDCT_US | SNOMEDCT_US_2020_07_31 |
| USP Compendial Nomenclature | USP | USP_2020_02_06 |
*Reminder: As of October 2017, Medi-Span data will not be included in the RxNorm or UMLS releases. If you have questions about Medi-Span, please contact: medispan-support@wolterskluwer.com.
Data Changes
Remdesivir NDC Changes
The remdesivir National Drug Code (NDC) changes announced for the October 2020 release will be reversed. The NDCs 61958290101 and 61958290201 will be associated with generic remdesivir-related Semantic Clinical Drug (SCD) names. Also, the branded drug Veklury will have new NDCs, specifically 61958290102 & 61958290202.
Below is a summary of the remdesivir-related product names, RxNorm Concept Unique Identifiers (RXCUIs), and NDCs in the RxNorm November 2020 release.
SCD: remdesivir 100 MG Injection
- RXCUI: 2284960
- NDC: 61958290101
SCD: 20 ML remdesivir 5 MG/ML Injection
- RXCUI 2367758
- NDC: 61958290201
SBD: remdesivir 100 MG Injection [Veklury]
- RXCUI: 2395502
- NDC: 61958290102
SBD: 20 ML remdesivir 5 MG/ML Injection [Veklury]
- RXCUI 2367758
- NDC: 61958290202
UMLS Metathesaurus Data No Longer Updated in RxNorm
The Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) Metathesaurus data in RxNorm will no longer be updated beginning with the November 2020 release. In other words, the UMLS atom unique identifier (UMLSAUI) and UMLS concept unique identifier (UMLSCUI) attributes will be frozen with the UMLS 2020AA release values in the RXNSAT.RRF file. Users can obtain current UMLS AUIs and UMLS CUIs directly from the Metathesaurus if needed. The UMLSCUI and UMLSAUI are expected to be deleted in the RxNorm December 2020 release (see below).
Also, the UMLS Metathesaurus version information will be frozen with the year 2020 while the RxNorm version dates will continue to change for several data values in the RxNorm terminology (SAB=RXNORM). Below are the impacted data values.
- In the RXNSAT.RRF file: VSAB, SVER, IMETA, SCIT
- In the RXNATOMARCHIVE.RRF file: VSAB
- In the RXNCUI.RRF file: VER_START, VER_END
Notice of Upcoming RxNorm Data Changes
As a courtesy to users, this section provides advance notice of possible upcoming RxNorm data changes. More information about each change will be provided or repeated in the future. Please note that planned data changes and timelines may change if issues arise.
- CORRECTION: UMLSAUI & UMLSCUI Attributes will be Deleted in the RxNorm December 2020 Release
- The UMLSAUI and UMLSCUI are expected to be deleted from RxNorm beginning with the December 2020 release, rather than the November 2020 release as previously announced. Users can obtain the UMLSAUI and UMLSCUI directly from the Metathesaurus if needed.
Data Counts
| Term Type or Attribute | Number |
|---|---|
| Active GPCKs | 431 |
| Active BPCKs | 515 |
| Active SCDs | 16851 |
| Active SBDs | 9420 |
| Active RXNORM MINs | 3734 |
| Active RXNORM INs | 13012 |
| Active RXNORM PINs | 3050 |
| Active RXNORM BNs | 5120 |
| Active RXNORM DFs | 121 |
| Obsolete GPCKs | 229 |
| Obsolete BPCKs | 196 |
| Obsolete SCDs | 18229 |
| Obsolete SBDs | 10708 |
| Obsolete RXNORM MINs | 0 |
| Obsolete RXNORM INs | 0 |
| Obsolete RXNORM PINs | 0 |
| Obsolete RXNORM BNs | 6096 |
| Obsolete RXNORM DFs | 63 |
| Editor-suppressed SCDs | 1788 |
| Editor-suppressed SBDs | 1478 |
| SAB=RXNORM NDCs | 245820 |
| Distinct SAB=RXNORM NDCs | 245820 |
Last Reviewed: November 2, 2020