FDB includes drug information and new SNOMED concepts for COVID-19 vaccines within FDB Multilex

The Multilex drug database includes records for the available COVID-19 vaccines in the UK (including the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine BNT162B2 manufactured by Pfizer- BioNTech) in line with the NHS BSA Dictionary of Medicines and Devices. This information has been available for use in patient records since the November datacut. As additional information becomes available, the Multilex vaccine data is being updated to include suitable Clinical Decision Support (where available) and with any further changes as requested by the NHS BSA. 

NHS Digital have also advised us of the new SNOMED codes that are going to be essential for the management of the rapid mass vaccination programme. The new codes, which have been made available to Multilex customers in the latest datacut, include procedures representing the administration of the vaccine, e.g. “Administration of first dose of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) vaccine” and codes for clinical findings that may be associated with administration, e.g. “Adverse reaction to SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) vaccine”.

Ian Arrowsmith, Head of Clinical Content Operations at FDB UK, says “I am tremendously proud of our expert team who have effectively managed the rapidly evolving vaccine developments (including three name changes for the Pfizer - BioNTech vaccine), along with the necessary associated SNOMED clinical codes mentioned above, and getting them through all of the technical and editorial stages to publication ready for use in clinical systems.”

FDB is continuing to work closely with NHS Digital to ensure timely updates to the Multilex data with respect to COVID-19 vaccine developments.

Learn more about Multilex drug database.