What is an AMPP code?
Actual Medicinal Product Pack (AMPP) codes uniquely identify a packaged product. An AMPP is the packaged product which is supplied for direct patient use. For a medicine, the AMPP description consists of:
Actual Medicinal Product (AMP) name + Supplier + Quantity + Quantity unit of measure
e.g., Amoxil 500mg capsules, GlaxoSmithKline, 21 capsules
AMPP codes are generated by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).
The AMPP code is also known as the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) code. It comprises a string of numbers (usually 16 or 17 digits) unique to the product and pack. The AMPP identifier will never be re-used and given to another product or concept.
AMPP codes are used to identify a particular product pack in the supply chain, on electronic purchasing and record systems, when it is prescribed and appears on the patient record and when it is reimbursed.
What is an NHRN Number?
The National Health Reimbursement Number (NHRN) is a field in the Product Master Data of a product that is uploaded to the European Medicines Verification System (EMVS) for distribution to the National Medicines Verification System (NMVS) in a specific country. For Northern Ireland the AMPP is the identifier to be loaded as the NHRN number of a product.
UKNI NMVS Requirements for AMPP/NHRN
The NHRN is not currently a required field when uploading products to the UKNI NMVS (correct at time of writing 26-Apr-2022).
Note: Version 6.0 of the Master Data Guide, EMVO-0122, approved on 02-Dec-2021 states that for the "UK (the AMPP may be required. OBPs should consult national guidance)" in the Guidance for entering National Code appendix. MAH’s/OBP’s should contact the MHRA for clarification.
