Medication (CACDI)
The medication name or code (e.g., brand, generic, ingredient)
3: Ready for use
n/a
Recommended Terminologies
Canadian Clinical Drug Data Set (CCDD)
- Acetaminophen
- Acetaminophen 160 mg chewable tablet
- Children's Tylenol Chewables (acetaminophen 160 mg chewable tablet) McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of Johnson & Johnson Inc.
3: Ready for use
The Canadian Clinical Drug Data Set (CCDD) is the recommended interchange terminology between clinical system knowledge bases, such as an electronic medical record (EMR) knowledge base and a pharmacy management system (PMS) knowledge base. Mapping is currently supported for several knowledge bases, including First Data Bank, Oracle-Cerner, Vigilance Santé and Drugbank.
Please reference the full Canadian Clinical Drug Data Set (CCDD) CodeSystem release package for all related terminology data files, relationships/special groupings and technical specifications, and review the comprehensive supporting documentation.
A “code” (CCDD or DIN or NPN, PharmaceuticalBiologicProductAndSubstanceCode) must be accompanied by “text.” If the code does not exist in the local EMR (i.e., not on formulary), the medication name will be entered as free text.
Health Canada Drug Product Database (DIN)
- Acetaminophen
- Teva-Salbutamol HFA
- Perindopril Erbumine
3: Ready for use
The CCDD code system should be used, but if a code is not available for a drug product that is available in Canada, vendors may also submit a code from the Health Canada Drug Identification Number (DIN) code system.
ATC codes are mapped in the Health Canada Drug Product Database. Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) information can be mapped to medicinal products using the associated drug identification number (DIN), where available.
Health Canada Licensed Natural Health Products Database (NPN)
- Melatonin 3 mg
- Cod liver oil gummy
- Cyctek Shan Zhu Yu powder
3: Ready for use
The CCDD code system should be used, but if a code is not available for a drug product that is available in Canada, vendors may also submit a code from the Health Canada Licensed Natural Health Products Database (NPN) code system.
Additional Terminologies
SNOMED CT CA includes subtypes of 373873005 | Pharmaceutical/biologic product (product), 105590001 | Substance (substance) or 787481004 | No known medications (situation)
- (+)-delta-cadinene synthase
- 1,1,2-trichloroethane
- 1,2-dichloroethane
3: Ready for use
The additional value set PharmaceuticalBiologicProductAndSubstanceCode can be used for the international use case where a medication is not available in Canada and therefore does not appear in the recommended pan-Canadian value sets.
Contact us
If you have questions about this initiative, would like to be added to our stakeholder notification list or would like to participate in our consultations, please email us.
How to cite:
Canadian Institute for Health Information. Medication (CACDI). Accessed November 02, 2026.
