Pharmacy

Abbreviation ASA, acetylsalicylic acid, a widely used analgesic and antiplatelet medication recorded in EHR medication lists, pharmacy dispensing systems, and claims data. Relevant in PBM formulary management and clinical decision support for cardiovascular risk reduction and drug interaction screening workflows.

A computerized, point-of-care drug storage device deployed in hospital units and pharmacies to control medication access, track dispensing events, and enforce patient-level safety checks. Generates transaction logs integrated with EHR, pharmacy, and billing systems, providing data engineers with dispense, return, and waste records for cost and compliance reporting.

An automated medication dispensing cabinet used in hospitals and healthcare facilities to securely store and dispense medications at the point of care. ADU transactions are recorded in pharmacy information systems and EHR medication administration records for controlled substance tracking and inventory management.

A nationally published benchmark drug price used by PBM and third-party payer systems as the basis for calculating pharmacy reimbursements, typically expressed as AWP minus a contractual discount percentage. Data engineers reference AWP in pharmacy claims adjudication, formulary pricing tables, and drug spend analytics to validate reimbursement calculations and contract compliance.

A unique six-digit number assigned to identify a specific health insurance plan or PBM processor in pharmacy claims transactions. The BIN number routes pharmacy claims to the correct adjudication system during real-time point-of-sale processing using the NCPDP telecommunication standard.

A machine-readable optical label encoded with product, medication, or patient identifiers used across EHR, pharmacy dispensing, and supply chain systems to automate data capture and reduce manual entry errors. Data engineers rely on barcode scan transaction logs for medication administration reconciliation, inventory tracking, and bedside verification audit trails.

A clinical reference standard maintained by the American Geriatrics Society that identifies potentially inappropriate medications for adults aged 65 and older. Used in pharmacy, PBM, and EHR systems to flag high-risk drug orders, support medication review workflows, and generate quality measure reports for geriatric populations.

A Latin abbreviation used in medication prescribing meaning before meals. Used in pharmacy prescription instructions and medication administration records in EHR systems to specify drug timing relative to meals for medications requiring fasting or food interaction management.

A class of sedative medications that enhance the effect of GABA neurotransmitter producing calming effects. Benzodiazepines include diazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam. Classified as Schedule IV controlled substances and tracked in prescription drug monitoring programs and pharmacy claims adjudication systems.

A pharmacological drug class that blocks beta-adrenergic receptors to reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand. Represented in EHR medication lists, pharmacy dispensing records, and PBM formulary systems using drug class codes such as GCN or GPI. Common agents include metoprolol and atenolol.

The date after which a compounded or repackaged medication should not be used based on stability studies and USP standards. BUD is assigned by pharmacists during compounding and documented in pharmacy preparation records and medication administration systems to ensure patient safety.

A preliminary insurance agreement that provides temporary coverage to a member or group between the time of application approval and formal policy issuance. Used in enrollment and eligibility systems to establish a coverage record prior to finalized member data being loaded into the EHR or claims adjudication platform.

A classification applied to biological substances, specimens, or waste materials that pose a risk of infection or harm to humans, animals, or the environment. Captured in EHR specimen management, laboratory information systems (LIS), and clinical workflow platforms to enforce handling protocols, regulatory compliance, and safe disposal documentation.

A complex biological medication derived from living cells including proteins, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and gene therapies. Biologics require special handling, storage, and administration protocols. Tracked separately in pharmacy claims due to high cost and specialty pharmacy distribution requirements.

An enclosed, ventilated laboratory workspace designed to protect personnel, samples, and the environment during handling of hazardous biological or pharmaceutical materials. Referenced in pharmacy compounding records, oncology drug preparation logs, and clinical operations systems to document sterile compounding compliance per USP 797 and USP 800 standards.

An FDA application submitted by a manufacturer seeking approval to market a biological product such as a vaccine, monoclonal antibody, or blood product. BLA approval requires demonstration of safety, efficacy, and manufacturing quality. BLA approval status is tracked in FDA drug databases and pharmacy formulary systems.

An FDA-approved biological product demonstrated to be highly similar to a reference biologic with no clinically meaningful differences in safety or efficacy. Identified in PBM formulary systems, pharmacy dispensing platforms, and claims data using NDC and GPI codes to support substitution policies, step therapy edits, and cost-management strategies.

The strictest warning put in the labeling of prescription drugs by the FDA when there is reasonable evidence of an association of a serious hazard with the drug.

A pre-packaged medication dispensing format in which individual doses are sealed in separate compartments within a card or strip, improving adherence tracking. Captured in pharmacy dispensing systems and PBM records to document packaging type, support medication synchronization programs, and enable adherence analytics in EHR and population health platforms.

A specialty pharmacist credential (BCACP) awarded by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) recognizing advanced expertise in outpatient and primary care clinical pharmacy services. Stored in provider credentialing databases, EHR staff records, and payer enrollment systems to support network credentialing, care team assignments, and MTM program documentation.