What does *NF* stand for in prescription drug name?

[topspinj]

Prerequisites

• [X ] Put an X between the brackets on this line if you have done all of the following:
  • Checked the online documentation: https://mimic.physionet.org/about/mimic/
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Description

When I query the prescriptions table, there are quite a few drug names prepended with *NF*. Does anyone happen to know what this acronym means?

You can see a list of drugs that have this prefix with the following query:

SELECT DISTINCT drug FROM mimiciii.prescriptions WHERE drug LIKE '*NF*%';

I was thinking either National Formulary or No Fault, but would like to confirm.

Note:
Same question applies to drugs prepended with *IND*. Does this stand for "Investigational New Drug"?

[alistairewj]

You're probably right about National Formulary but I sent an e-mail to some BIDMC colleagues to check.

For IND it only happens for one drug name (*IND* Pexelizumab/Placebo). For this drug, another column lists it as Pexelizumab/Placebo Study Drug, so you're probably right there too.

[alistairewj]

I stand corrected! Quoting a pharmacist at the BIDMC (the source hospital of MIMIC):

NF means non formulary
Aka not approved by P&T as part of our formulary meds. We sometimes have a limited supply of non formulary medications that we dispense depending on the circumstance.

[topspinj]

Thank you! This is very helpful.