Florida Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

At the pre-quality check, the employee stationed at Production must validate that the NDC on the medication label matches the NDC on the prescription bottle label. Which numbers are most critical to match?

1. The first 5 numbers

2. The middle 4 numbers

3. The last 2 numbers

4. DEA number

The correct answer is: The middle 4 numbers

In the context of validating the National Drug Code (NDC) on medication labels, it is crucial to focus on the middle 4 numbers of the NDC. The NDC is a unique identifier for drugs in the United States, consisting of 10 digits that are typically formatted as 5-4-2. The first segment, which includes the first 5 numbers, identifies the drug manufacturer, and while this is important, it is primarily the specifics of the drug that must be validated, which reside in the middle segment. The middle 4 numbers specifically indicate the product's formulation and strength, detailing exactly which medication is present. Ensuring this part of the NDC matches between the medication label and prescription bottle label is essential to confirm that the correct drug is provided to the patient. The last 2 numbers correlate to the package size, which, while important for inventory tracking and billing, is not as critical in terms of patient safety and identifying the correct medication. The DEA number is unrelated to the NDC as it is specific to controlled substances and for the purposes of tracking the prescription activities of healthcare providers. Thus, confirming the middle 4 numbers provides the most relevant assurance regarding the specific medication being dispensed, ensuring patients receive the