What does DIN stand for?
DIN stands for “Drug Identification Number,” which is a unique eight-digit numeric code assigned by Health Canada to each drug product approved for sale in Canada. The DIN serves as a means of identifying and tracking pharmaceutical products, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and natural health products, ensuring their safety, efficacy, and quality for Canadian consumers.
The issuance of a DIN is a regulatory requirement under the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations in Canada, and it signifies that the drug product has undergone a thorough review and assessment by Health Canada’s Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD) or the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD). To obtain a DIN, manufacturers or sponsors must submit comprehensive data on the drug’s safety, efficacy, and quality, including clinical trial results, manufacturing processes, and labeling information.
The DIN plays a crucial role in the regulation of pharmaceuticals in Canada by providing healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and consumers with essential information about each drug product, including its formulation, dosage form, strength, and approved therapeutic uses. It also facilitates the monitoring of adverse drug reactions, drug recalls, and post-market surveillance activities to ensure the ongoing safety and effectiveness of marketed drugs.
Health Canada maintains a publicly accessible Drug Product Database (DPD) that contains information on all drugs authorized for sale in Canada, including their assigned DINs, product names, active ingredients, dosage forms, and manufacturers. This database enables healthcare professionals and consumers to verify the legitimacy and approval status of drug products available in the Canadian market.
The DIN is prominently displayed on the packaging of pharmaceutical products, typically near the product name or on the product label, to facilitate easy identification and verification by healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and consumers. It is also used in pharmacy dispensing systems and electronic prescribing software to ensure accurate and safe dispensing of medications.
Sample Sentences:
- The pharmacist verified the DIN on the medication label to ensure that the prescribed drug product was authorized for sale in Canada and met the required safety and quality standards.
- Meaning: The pharmacist checked the drug identification number (DIN) displayed on the medication label to confirm that the prescribed medication was approved for sale in Canada and complied with the necessary safety and quality criteria.
- Patients should always check the DIN on over-the-counter medications to ensure that they are purchasing authorized products that have undergone regulatory review and approval.
- Meaning: Consumers are advised to verify the drug identification number (DIN) on over-the-counter medications to guarantee that they are buying authorized products that have been subject to regulatory scrutiny and clearance.
- Health professionals rely on the DIN to access comprehensive information about drug products, including their approved indications, dosages, and potential adverse effects.
- Meaning: Healthcare practitioners depend on the drug identification number (DIN) to access detailed information about pharmaceutical products, such as their approved uses, recommended doses, and possible side effects.
- The DIN is a valuable tool for pharmacovigilance activities, allowing regulators to monitor the safety and effectiveness of marketed drugs and take appropriate regulatory actions when necessary.
- Meaning: The drug identification number (DIN) serves as a valuable resource for pharmacovigilance efforts, enabling regulators to oversee the safety and efficacy of marketed medications and implement regulatory interventions as needed.
- Manufacturers must obtain a DIN from Health Canada before marketing their drug products in Canada, demonstrating compliance with regulatory requirements and ensuring patient safety.
- Meaning: Drug manufacturers are required to secure a drug identification number (DIN) from Health Canada prior to commercializing their pharmaceutical products in Canada, thereby demonstrating adherence to regulatory standards and safeguarding patient well-being.
Other Meanings of DIN
Below is a table outlining seven additional meanings of the acronym “DIN” along with their descriptions:
| Acronym | Full Form | Description |
|---|---|---|
| DIN | Deutsche Industrienorm | A German industrial standard or specification established by the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), covering a wide range of technical and engineering disciplines, including dimensions, tolerances, materials, manufacturing processes, and product design. |
| DIN | Document Identification Number | A unique alphanumeric code or reference assigned to individual documents, files, or records within an organization’s document management system or filing system, facilitating easy retrieval, tracking, and organization of information for administrative and regulatory purposes. |
| DIN | Dual In-line Package | A type of integrated circuit (IC) package or electronic component packaging format commonly used in the electronics industry to encapsulate and protect semiconductor devices, featuring a rectangular housing with two parallel rows of electrical pins for surface mounting on printed circuit boards (PCBs). |
| DIN | Deutsche Institut für Normung | A German national organization responsible for developing and promoting technical standards and specifications across various industries, contributing to interoperability, quality assurance, and innovation in products, processes, and services in Germany and internationally. |
| DIN | Defense Intelligence Network | A secure communications and information sharing network used by defense and intelligence agencies to exchange classified or sensitive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data, facilitating collaboration and coordination among allied nations and military organizations. |
| DIN | Dual Income, No Kids | A demographic and lifestyle category referring to couples or households with two sources of income and no dependent children, often characterized by higher discretionary spending, greater financial flexibility, and different consumption patterns compared to traditional family households. |
| DIN | Deutsche Internet-Nutzer | A term used in German-speaking regions to refer to internet users or individuals who access online content, services, and applications through the internet, encompassing a diverse range of demographics, interests, and behaviors in the digital environment. |
| DIN | Do It Now | A motivational phrase or acronym encouraging prompt action, decisiveness, and efficiency in tackling tasks, projects, or challenges, emphasizing the importance of taking immediate steps to accomplish goals or address issues without delay or procrastination. |
These alternative interpretations of DIN demonstrate its usage in various contexts, including technical standards, document management, electronics packaging, intelligence networks, demographics, and motivational messaging. While “Drug Identification Number” remains the primary meaning in the context of pharmaceutical regulation in Canada, these variations highlight the versatility and significance of the acronym in different fields and industries.
