Update Notes
MEPS
HC-126A: 2009 Prescribed Medicines File
Update #3: 2/02/18
A problem was discovered with the linking between the MEPS Prescribed Medicines files and the Cerner Multum file that resulted in some incorrect therapeutic classes being assigned.
The Multum Lexicon Addendum files (HC-068) contain the corrected therapeutic classes. Analysts should use caution when using the Cerner Multum therapeutic class variables for analysis
and should always check for accuracy, because the Multum classification has been changed by the addition of new classes and subclasses, and by changes in the hierarchy of classes.
See the documentation for the Multum Lexicon Addendum files for examples.
The Multum Lexicon Addendum files (HC-068) also contain an additional variable not in the 1996
through 2012 MEPS Prescribed Medicines files: the generic name of the drug most commonly used by prescribing physicians.
Update #2: 11/22/13
STATA Programming Statements have been added.
Update #1: 6/28/13
A problem was discovered with the linking between the MEPS Prescribed Medicines files and the Cerner Multum
file that resulted in some incorrect therapeutic classes being assigned. In particular, some diagnostic tests
and medical devices were inadvertently assigned to be in a therapeutic class when they should not have been.
Specifically, from 1996-2002, some diabetic supplies were assigned to be in TC1S1=101 (sex hormone), and from
2003 through 2010 some diabetic supplies were assigned to be in TC1S1=37 (toxiods). In addition, starting
in 2006, NDC 00169750111 should have been assigned to TC1=358 and TC1S1=99. Analysts should use caution when
using the Cerner Multum therapeutic class variables for analysis and should always check for accuracy, because
there may be additional problems not described in this user note.
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