SNOMED CT Pharmaceutical/biologic product

The Pharmaceutical/biologic product hierarchy is separate from the Substance hierarchy. This hierarchy was introduced as a top-level hierarchy in order to clearly distinguish drug products (products) from their chemical constituents (substances).

It contains concepts that represent the multiple levels of granularity required to support a variety of uses cases such as compiterized provider order entry (CPOE), e-precribing, decision support and formulary management. The levels of drug products represented in the International Release include Virtual Medicine Product (VMP), Virtual Therapeutic Moiety (VTM), and Product Category. Additionally, US and UK drug extensions have been developed, which represent Actual Medicinal Products (AMPs).