NHS medicines database (dm+d)

dm+d sits at the heart of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS).

Each medicine or device has:

• a unique code; and
• a standard description.

Because prescribing and pharmacy systems use these codes, they can exchange information safely and accurately.

dm+d is structured so that each product is described across several linked levels. Each level contains useful information for pharmacy teams.

dm+d browsers

You can access dm+d using online tools called browsers or viewers. These allow you to search and check information about medicines and devices.

Available dm+d browsers

How pharmacy teams can use dm+d browsers

dm+d browsers can help you check:

• reimbursement status;
• indicative prices;
• whether broken bulk can be claimed; and
• whether an item is classed as a special container or calendar pack.

Be aware:

• Different IT system suppliers use dm+d in different ways, so what you see online may differ slightly from your system;
• Reimbursement depends on how the prescription is written, not just the dm+d entry.

Common queries

Reimbursement price

dm+d shows indicative prices. If a product is in Drug Tariff Part VIII and prescribed generically, reimbursement is based on the Part VIII price, not the branded product.

Indicative prices

 Prices can change during the month. There may be a delay between:

• a market price change;
• dm+d being updated; and
• your IT system reflecting the change.

Schedule 1 products

Some products cannot normally be prescribed on the NHS. However, exceptions can apply where:

• a product is prescribed generically; and
• the generic has a recognised official title.

This means you may still be able to supply certain products even if dm+d shows them as Schedule one.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) provides dm+d browser.

Pharmacy teams can still use other free browsers alongside it.

Key features

• improved search, including by product code;
• barcode display;
• mobile-friendly design; and
• clearer information on discontinued items.

NHSBSA welcomes feedback from pharmacy teams to keep improving the tool.

Share your feedback

You can help improve dm+d and its tools.

• NHS England is running surveys on how dm+d is used (e.g. VMP drug form feedback);
• You can email NHSBSA to suggest improvements to their browser;
• You can send feedback on OpenPrescribing to their team.

Community Pharmacy England also shares sector feedback with NHS organisations.

We work with NHS organisations and others to improve dm+d.

This includes:

• raising issues about how products are described;
• supporting improvements to data quality; and
• sharing feedback from pharmacy owners and teams.

We will continue to monitor dm+d and raise issues where needed.

Technical information

dm+d structure

Each product is described across four levels:

• Virtual Medicinal Product (VMP): generic name, e.g. ‘Atenolol 100 mg tablets’;
• Virtual Medicinal Product Pack (VMPP): generic name plus pack size;
• Actual Medicinal Product (AMP): branded product linked to a supplier; and
• Actual Medicinal Product Pack (AMPP): branded product plus pack details.

Each level includes data to support prescribing and dispensing, such as legal category and pack type.

Coverage

dm+d covers over 99.9% of items prescribed in primary care.

If a product is not in dm+d:

• it cannot be prescribed via EPS; and
• a paper prescription must be used.

What pharmacy teams may notice

When systems use dm+d, you may see:

• different word order (e.g. product, strength, form);
• new terminology (e.g. ‘gastro-resistant’ instead of ‘enteric coated’);
• longer product descriptions;
• changes in picking lists; and
• quantities expressed differently (e.g. inhalers in doses instead of ‘one inhaler’).

Word order: Staff may also notice a change in the description of products in their systems with products listed in dm+d described according to the dm+d editorial policy. For example,  dm+d describes products in the order: product, strength, formulation. Some pharmacy systems have traditionally described products in the order: product, form, strength.

Word conventions: In some cases dm+d may use different words to those found historically in prescribing and dispensing systems. For example ‘enteric coated’ tablets are described as ‘gastro-resistant’, and for inhalers, dm+d uses the term ‘dose’ as opposed to ‘actuation’, ‘inhalation’ or  ‘puff’.

Terminology length and abbreviations: In some cases, the descriptions defined by dm+d are much longer than the titles used in existing supplier drug databases, this could mean space pressure on paper outputs. In some cases, it will not be possible to print a product’s full name on a dispensing label because of space restrictions; in this case, the system may automatically abbreviate the name of the product to fit on the label. For many products, dm+d includes both the full name and an abbreviated name for this purpose.

Pick lists: As well as noticing subtle changes in the description of products, pharmacy staff may also notice that the location of products on ‘picking lists’ in systems changes depending on how a supplier has implemented dm+d within their system. Also in some systems, the description of a product on-screen may be subtly different from the description used in the picking list, for example where a supplier has chosen to abbreviate information in picking lists.

Quantities and units of measure: For inhalers, dm+d expresses the number of doses contained within each inhaler, for example rather than the prescription requesting ‘1 inhaler’, the prescription may read ‘200 dose’.

Reimbursement and EPS

For EPS prescriptions:

• payment is based on the dm+d code sent electronically;
• extra details must be added using electronic endorsements where required.

Additional access

Advanced users can access dm+d datasets via NHS England’s TRUD service.

Accurate dm+d data is essential for:

• correct NHS payments;
• safe clinical care; and
• better patient outcomes.

Manufacturers and wholesalers should keep dm+d updated.

Pharmacy owners can also raise concerns where data appears inaccurate.

How system mapping works

IT system suppliers link their drug databases to dm+d. This is known as mapping.

This allows EPS messages to be sent and received using dm+d codes.

Key points for pharmacy teams

• Prescribers can issue prescriptions using either VMP (generic) or AMP (branded) codes;
• Systems are updated regularly (often monthly or more frequently);
• Keeping your system up to date helps avoid errors and supports correct payment.

Why mapping matters

If a product is not mapped correctly:

• it may not be available to prescribe electronically; or
• there may be patient safety risks.

Reporting issues

If you spot a problem:

• report it via your IT supplier escalation route; and
• log it as a patient safety incident using the Learn from Patient Safety Events (LFPSE) service.

For mapping issues, see the section above.

For other dm+d issues, you can:

• report via NHSBSA dm+d reporting routes; or
• contact Community Pharmacy England for support.

dm+d provides standard product identifiers, but does not yet standardise dosage instructions.

Work is ongoing to develop computable dose standards, which could further improve safety and efficiency.