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SAS Name
GCDF
This variable is the dosage form code according to the First DataBank (FDB) reference files. The dosage form describes the physcial presentation of a drug, suchg as tablet, capsule, or liquid. It may also incorporate the delivery and release mechanism of the drug.
When this variable appears in the Formulary file, it is the FDB dosage form code for a drug product on the formulary.
Values: 2-digit alpha/numeric code (e.g., CA [capsule], PS [adhesive patch, medicated])
Source: First DataBank
The narrative description for this code appears in the dosage form code description variable (called GCDF_DESC).
In the Formulary file, this variable is populated by matching the drug products on the Part D Plan submitted formulary to FDB. Part D plan sponsors submit the formulary to the CMS Health Plan Management System (HPMS). Plans identify the drug products on their formularies using the National Library of Medicine RxNorm Concept Unique Identifiers (RXCUIs). Each RXCUI corresponds to a unique brand name and clinical formulation (same ingredients, strength, and dosage form).
In the PDE file, this variable is populated by linking to the proprietary First DataBank MedKnowledge database by matching on the National Drug (NDC; variable in the PDE files called the product service identifier PROD_SRVC_ID).
Additional details regarding the FDB source data are available at: http://www.fdbhealth.com/fdb-medknowledge/