Can RX Norm be used for a drug vocabulary?

If wanting to use RX Norms database from the NLM site please use caution. This information was meant to be used for interoperability vs a straight drug list/vocabulary. Here are some specific reasons from a customer that tried and found out the limitations.

1. No supported API and substantial learning curve on how the data is organized

2. At this time SureScripts does not allow RxNorm for the Benefits and Med History Certification

3. RxNorm is still changing quite a bit. NDF-RT had been added/new terminology types (MIN [multi ingredient concept])

4. Distribution model for RxNorm is still a bit convoluted (does not seem to be a publication service to know when there is a new version to pull down)

5. RxNorm does not provided Duplicate Therapy, Drug-Drug interactions and Drug-Allergy warning information (CCHIT must)

Comments for Can RX Norm be used for a drug vocabulary?

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 by David Wilkof:: RxNorms is definitely improving but is not the long term answer for those firms looking for answers as part of their EMRs.
Friday, November 12, 2010 by David White:: If RxNorm is not the answer for drug vocabularies, does Lexi-Comp provide drug lists, duplicate therapy, drug-drug interactions, and drug-allergy interactions?