The Medicare Part D Drug Characteristics file refers to a set of variables that are appended to the Medicare Part D Event file (PDE). Researchers need to request the specific variables required for their study and CMS must approve the release.
What does this file include? (variable highlights)
- Product ID (NDC) used to link Drug Characteristics to PDE file
- Brand name
- Generic name
- Strength
- Form of the drug
Why do researchers request this file?
- Researchers who do not have access to a proprietary NDC database use this file to identify specific drugs, strengths and formulation
- Studies assessing pharmaceutical treatment that compare strengths and/or formulations of prescription drugs
- Studies evaluating drug utilization under the Medicare Part D program
Special considerations
- Requests for any Part D data file require selection and justification for each requested variable.
- This file does not include drug class or any other taxonomy variables.
- The Part D Drug Characteristics file is not released as a freestanding file. Requested variables are appended to the requested PDE file. The structure is a flat file.
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- Product ID (NDC) used to link Drug Characteristics to PDE file
- Brand name,
- Generic name,
- Strength
- Form of the drug
