3.12 Drug and Product Identification Numbers

General Policy Description

Health Canada assigns a Drug Identification Number (DIN) to all drug products.

If Health Canada has not assigned a DIN for a product, PharmaCare assigns a product identification number (PIN) that allows claims for the product to be adjudicated by PharmaNet.

When Health Canada issues a licence for a natural health product—after assessing and finding it to be safe, effective, and of high quality under the recommended conditions of use—they assign the product an eight-digit Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM), which can be found on the label.

PharmaCare must assign a PIN for compounded medications, investigational drugs, natural health products that have not been assigned an NPN, and non‑pharmaceuticals such as glucose monitors and test strips, prosthetics, orthotics, and ostomy supplies.

Policy Details

Pharmacists and medical device providers must use the appropriate PIN, found in the lists linked below.

Drug Use Evaluation (DUE) results are not returned for claims using PINs.

Procedures

Identifying a PIN

Product Identification Numbers (PINs) are used when no DIN is assigned to a product.

PharmaCare publishes the PINs for various categories of products on its website.

All PINs: Product Identification Numbers (PINs)

Individual PINs:

• Allergy serums
• Compounded prescription products
• Cystic fibrosis products
• Diabetes items:
  • blood glucose test strips (BGTS)
  • continuous glucose monitors (CGM)
  • flash glucose monitors (FGM)
  • insulin pumps
  • insulin pump supplies
  • needles and syringes
• Miscellaneous products
• Nicotine replacement therapy products and smoking cessation prescription drugs
• Opioid agonist treatment
• Ostomy supplies
• Prosthetics and orthotics
• Publicly funded vaccines

Need help determining the correct PIN? Call the PharmaCare Help Desk.