What does the Drug Identification Number (DIN) do?

The Drug Identification Number (DIN) serves a crucial role in the pharmaceutical system in Canada by uniquely identifying a drug product. Each DIN is a unique numeric identifier assigned to every drug product authorized for sale in Canada. This system helps ensure that healthcare professionals can accurately identify medications, which is vital for ensuring patient safety and effective medication management.

By having a unique identifier for each product, healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients can verify the specific medication being prescribed or dispensed. This is essential for maintaining accurate records, facilitating recalls if necessary, and preventing medication errors. The DIN system promotes standardization and helps improve the quality of care in the healthcare system.

This unique identification does not extend to identifying interactions, tracking expiry dates, or providing dosage information for medications. Those aspects are managed through other protocols and systems within healthcare and pharmaceutical regulations.