WHOCC
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Norwegian Institute of Public Health
WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology
Postboks 222 Skøyen
0213 Oslo
Norway

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Myrens verksted 6H
0473 Oslo
Norway

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General principles

The ATCvet system for the classification of veterinary medicines is based on the same overall principles as the ATC system for substances used in human medicine. In most cases, an ATC code exists which can be used to classify a product in the ATCvet system. The ATCvet code is then created by placing the letter Q in front of the ATC code.

When the human classification is not considered relevant, a specific ATCvet group or 5th level code can be established in order to make the classification more relevant for veterinary medicine. However, such changes are kept down to a minimum in order to leave the two systems as similar as possible.

Usually, specific ATCvet groups are only established for veterinary products whose indications differ from those of similar human products, e.g. immunologicals for veterinary use (QI), antibacterials for intramammary use (QJ51) and gynecological antiinfectives and antiseptics for intrauterine use (QG51).

Classification according to the main therapeutic use of a medicinal product (to the top)
Every medicinal product is classified according to its main therapeutic use. One product may be used for two or more equally important indications and the main therapeutic use may differ from species to species and from one country to another.

When a product is used for more than one indication, an ATCvet code is assigned on the basis of its main therapeutic use, as decided by the ATCvet Working Group.

Different formulations of the same substance (to the top)
One substance may be marketed in several formulations. Formulations for topical and systemic use are given separate ATCvet codes, e.g. oxytetracycline is given the following ATCvet codes for its different pharmaceutical forms:

Oxytetracycline
QD06AA03     for topical use
QG01AA07     for gynecological use
QJ01AA06     for systemic use
QS01AA04     for ophthalmological use
When there are several alternative classifications for a particular substance, explanations and cross-references are given in the guidelines. Comments on the different ATCvet groups vary considerably in scope, depending on the kind of classification problems arising.

Drugs classified in the same 4th level group (to the top)
Drugs assigned to the same 4th level group should not be considered pharmacotherapeutically equivalent, since their adverse drug reaction profiles, modes of action and therapeutic effects may differ.

Example:
QM02AA     Antinflammatory preparations, non-steroids for topical use
QM02AA01     phenylbutazone
QM02AA23     indomethacin
To avoid a situation of several 4th levels with only one single substance in each, new 4th levels are as a general rule only established when at least two substances with marketing authorisations fit in the group. In addition, a new 4th level should be regarded a benefit for drug utilization research.

'Other' groups (to the top)
As a general rule, a new product not clearly belonging to any of the existing ATCvet 4th level groups will be classified in an 'Other' group (usually an X group), e.g. QR06AX - Other antihistamines for systemic use. This New and innovative medicinal products will therefore often be classified in an X group and such groups could be established for only one single substance.

Example:
QR06AA     Aminoalkyl ethers
QR06AA01     bromazine
QR06AB     Substituted alkylamines
QR06AB01     brompheniramine
QR06AX     Other antihistamines for systemic use
QR06AX01     bamipine
Specific veterinary groups (to the top)
Specific veterinary groups have been created, e.g. for immunologicals (QI), to allow a subdivision by species. The ATC system's subdivision of sulfonamides on the basis of their biological half-life in humans is irrelevant to veterinary use and a veterinary classification has therefore been established (QJ01E Q). A specific classification has also been established for antiparasitic products (QP), since there are considerable differences in the use of these products and the variety of substances available, compared with the situation in human medicine.

When specific ATCvet codes are created, the following digits/letters in the ATC system are reserved for use in the ATCvet classification system:

levels 0 and 1:     Q
level 2:     50-69
levels 3 and 4:     Q, V, W, Y and Z
level 5:     90-99
At level 5, the digits 90-98 are used to classify products containing plain substances, while 99 has been used for combined products.

Example:
QJ51 - Antibacterials for intramammary use, and QA07CQ - Oral rehydration formulations for veterinary use, are examples of ATCvet codes for which there are no equivalents in the ATC system (i.e. neither J51 nor A07CQ exists in the ATC system).

Classification problems are discussed by the ATCvet Working Group, which then decides on the final classification.

Nomenclature in the ATCvet system (to the top)

  • International Non-proprietary Names (INN) are preferred.
    If INN names have not been assigned, United States Adopted Names (USAN) or British Approved Names (BAN) are to be chosen.
     
    Lists of INN names are published by the World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, and are published continuously in WHO Drug Information. Lists of USAN names are published by the US Phamacopoeia and lists of BAN names are available in the British pharmacopoeia.
     
  • The use of the same headings for different ATCvet groups should be avoided. (Exception: when the chemical subgroup appears in different ATCvet groups, e.g. organophosphorous compounds.)
     
    Example:
    Both QP52AB and QP53AF have the heading 'Organophosphorous compounds', since both QP52 - Anthelminthics and QP53 - Ectoparasiticides include organophosphorus compounds.
     
  • Non-specific terms like others and various should be avoided as group/subgroup names whenever possible.

Last updated: 2023-12-21