|
A drug, broadly
speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a
living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single,
precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control
law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.
In pharmacology, a drug is "a chemical substance used in the
treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to
otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being." Drugs may be
prescribed for a limited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic
disorders.
Recreational drugs are chemical substances that affect the central
nervous system, such as opioids or hallucinogens. They may be used
for perceived beneficial effects on perception, consciousness,
personality, and behavior. Some drugs can cause addiction and/or
habituation.
Drugs are usually distinguished from endogenous biochemicals by
being introduced from outside the organism. For
example, insulin is a hormone that is synthesized in the body; it is
called a hormone when it is synthesized by the pancreas inside the
body, but if it is introduced into the body from outside, it is
called a drug. Many natural substances, such as
beers, wines, and psychoactive mushrooms, blur the line between food
and recreational drugs, as when ingested they affect the functioning
of both mind and body and some substances normally considered drugs
such as DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) are actually produced by the human
body in trace amounts.
Ministry of Health Drug Formulary consist of drugs approved for use
in all hospitals / Institutions in the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
The Formulary is to promote rational, cost-effective use of drugs
whereby newer and effective drugs were introduced in a controlled
manner so as to minimize wastages and funds set aside for the
purchase of drugs are optimally used.
Drugs in this formulary are classified according to WHO ATC
(Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical) classification system and coded
with Malaysian Drug Code (MDC) for identification. MDC is made up of
ATC code (7 digit), base/salt code (3 digit) , dosage form code (3
digit), concentration code (2 digit) and brand code (2 digit) which
is currently designated as XX in this formulary.
Use of drugs not listed in MOH Drug Formulary are not allowed in all
MOH hospitals / institutions unless approval had been given by the
Director General of Health. Use of unregistered drugs as a last
resort and in life saving cases, after all registered drugs had been
exhausted require the approval of Director General of Health.
Malaysia Drug Code (MDC)
is a code assigned to a particular drug for identification. It is
assigned uniquely to identify all drug products involving prescribed
medicines and over the counter (OTC) products that have been
registered with Drug Control Authority or have obtained special
approval for use in Malaysia.
The MDC will be used as a standard code for drug management in all
health application systems in the Ministry of Health institution and
for information sharing among health care providers. MDC can also be
used as a tool for drug utilization research. The use of standard
coding throughout health facilities would ideally accomplish similar
cost savings in contracting, inventory management, product
identification, utilization and benchmarking, distribution and
logistics management.
Drugs information by A-Z index, check
here.
|
