BNF Classification
and
Pseudo Classification
Used by the NHS
Prescription Services
Incorporating Changes
up to and including
BNF Number 68
September 2014
BNF Classification and Pseudo Classification
used by the NHS Prescription Services
Whilst the NHS Prescription Services uses a therapeutic classification system
based on and closely following the BNF, there are occasions when this is not
possible.
The chapter, paragraph etc headings and the classification of drugs and
appliances used by the NHS Prescription Services for PACT, ePACT.NET, PCA
and the Prescribing Toolkit has to cover all items prescribable on the NHS in
England. They may therefore not always equate exactly with the British
National Formulary (BNF).
Three potential areas of difference



The BNF chapter and section headings may be slightly modified, especially
to cope with the limited space on the paper reports.
Items detailed in the BNF may be classified by the NHS Prescription
Services under pseudo BNF classifications.
Additional Pseudo BNF chapters, sections, paragraphs etc have been
created by the NHS Prescription Services to either reclassify items e.g.
appliances which are shown in appendices of the BNF, to accommodate
preparations not listed in the BNF including unlicensed medicines, or to
further sub classify within existing BNF chapters, paragraphs etc.
Where products are discontinued and result in complete paragraphs being
deleted from the BNF, NHS Prescription Services based classification remains
in order that historical data is available.
A number of products are shown in more than one chapter of the BNF. These
will be shown as a single entry under the main therapeutic indication.
NHS Prescription Services Code Structure
The structure used by the NHS Prescription Services encompasses four levels
 A two digit chapter heading with leading zero where required
 A two digit section heading with leading zero where required
 A two digit paragraph heading with leading zero where required
 A single digit sub paragraph heading.
Where the BNF does not extend to all these levels, the record is filled with
zeros.
Drugs not Covered by the BNF
Pseudo Chapter 19 headed ‘Other Drugs and Preparations’ includes many
drugs and preparations under various paragraph headings which are
occasionally prescribed either individually or as an ingredient of an
extemporaneously prepared preparation. Similarly other products occasionally
prescribed are classified under a number of paragraph headings e.g. ‘Alcohol,
wines and spirits’, ‘Homeopathic preparations’, ‘Poisoning antidotes’,
‘Disinfectants’ and ‘Lubricating jellies’.
2
April 2015
Annual Amendments
Amendments to section headings and item classifications are made once each
year to take effect from prescriptions dispensed from that January. They reflect
the changes, which have taken place in the two editions of the BNF issued
during the previous year.
The information detailed from January 2014 therefore reflects differences up to
and including BNF edition 68 issued September 2014.
For Further Information
Questions relating to this booklet and the classification used by the NHSBSA
Prescription Services should be raised with the Medicine Data Services Team.
Tel: 0191 2446456
E-mail:[email protected]
Page 3
April 2015
BNF Chapter and Section Headings
that have been Slightly Modified
(Apart from abbreviations)
Chapter
02:02:04
02:05:05
02:06
02:10
02:10:01
03:02
03:03
03:04
04:04:00
04:05:01
04:07:01
04:09:01
05:01:06
05:01:11
06:01:05
06:01:06
06:03
07:03:02:3
BNF Heading
NHS Prescription Services
Heading
Potassium-sparing
diuretics with other
diuretics
Drugs affecting the reninangiotensin system
Nitrates, calcium-channel
blockers & other
antianginal drugs
Stable angina, acute
coronary syndromes, and
fibrinolysis
Management of stable
angina and acute coronary
syndromes
Corticosteriods
Cromoglicate and related
therapy, leukotriene
receptor antagonists, and
phosphodiesterase type-a
inhibitors
Antihistamines,
hyposensitisation and
allergic emergencies
CNS Stimulants and drugs
used for attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder
Anti-obesity drugs acting
on the gastro-intestinal
tract
Non-opioid analgesics and
compound analgesic
preparations
Dopaminergic drugs used
in Parkinson’s disease
Clindamycin
Metronidazole and
Tinidazole
Treatment of Diabetic
Nephropathy and
Neuropathy
Diagnostic and monitoring
agents for diabetes
mellitus
Corticosteriods
Intra-uterine Progesteroneonly device
4
Potassium Sparing Diuretics &
Compounds
Renin-Angiotensin System
Drugs
Nit,Calc Block & other
Antianginal Drugs
Stable Angina, Acute Crnry
Synd&Fibrin
N/A
Corticosteriods (Respiratory)
Cromoglycate, Rel, Leukotriene
Antagonists
Antihist, Hyposensit & Allergic
Emergen
CNS Stimulants and drugs used
for ADHD
Gastro-Intestinal Anti-Obesity
Drugs
Non-Opioid Analgesics And
Compound Prep
Dopaminergic Drugs Used in
Parkinsonism
Clindamycin and Lincomycin
Metronidazole, Tinidazole &
Ornidazole
Diabetic Nephropathy &
Neuropathy
Diabetic Diagnostic (Monitoring
Agents)
Corticosteriods (Endocrine)
IUD Progesterone-only Device
April 2015
Chapter
08:01:02
09:05:01:02
09:05:04
10:01:03
10:03
12:01:03
13:01
13:01:01
13:11:04
13:13
14:03
15:01:06
15:01:07
BNF Heading
Anthracyclines an other
cytotoxic antibodies
Hypercalcaemia +
Hypercalcuria
Zinc
Drugs which suppress the
rheumatic disease process
Drugs for the treatment of
soft-tissue disorders and
topical pain relief
Removal of Ear Wax
Management of Skin
Conditions
Vehicles
Iodine
Topical circulatory
preparations
Storage and Usage
Drugs for Reversal NeuroMuscular Blockade
Antagonists for central and
respiratory depression
Page 5
NHS Prescription Services
Heading
Anthracyclines & Cytotoxic
Antibiotics
Hypercalcaemia
Zinc & Other Minerals
Rheumatic Disease
Suppressant Drugs
Soft-Tissue Disorders & Topical
Pain Rel
Removal of Ear Wax and other
Substances
Vehicles and Emulsifying
Agents
Vehicles and Emulsifying
Agents
Chlorine & Iodine
Wound Management Products
Diagnostic Vaccines
Anticholinesterases used in
Anaesthesia
Antagonists for Respiratory
Depression
April 2015
Items Detailed in the BNF that have been classified
by the NHS Prescription Services under Pseudo BNF Classifications
BNF Chapter
BNF Heading
NHS
Prescription
Services
Chapter
01:08
Stoma Care
23
03:01:05
Peak Flow Meters,
Inhaler devices and
Nebulisers
21:12
21:01:02:03
21:01:10:0
-
06:01:01:3
07:03:04
13:11
App 5
Hypodermic
Equipment
Contraceptive Devices
Skin cleansers and
antiseptics
Wound management
products and elastic
hosiery.
21:01:09
21:04:00
21:16
20
21
13:13:01
13:13:02
13:13:08
6
NHS Prescription
Services Classification
contains all stoma care
appliances (DT Part IXC)
Peak Flow Meters
Inhaler devices
Nebulisers in BNF are not
prescribable.
Hypodermic Equipment
(DT Part IXA)
Contraceptive Devices
Irrigation Fluids
Drug Tariff Dressings
Drug Tariff Appliances
(ex Dressings)
Medicated Stockings
Surgical Adhesive
removers
Gel and Colloid
dressings
April 2015
Pseudo BNF Chapters, Sections, Paragraphs etc which have been
created by the NHS Prescription Services to either reclassify items, to
accommodate preparations not listed in the BNF or to sub-classify within
existing BNF chapters etc.
Chapter
01:03:00
1:03:06
01:08:01:0
02:05:06
02:05:07
02:05:08
02:06:05
02:06:07
02:06:10
NHS Prescription
Services Title
Test for Helicobacter
pylori
Other Antisec
Drugs+Mucosal
Protectants
Local Care of Stoma
Ganglion-Blocking
Drugs
Tyrosine Hydroxylase
Inhibitors
Other Adrenergic
Neurone Blocking
Drugs
Flosequinan
09:05:04:1
I(F) Channel Blockers
Other Vasodilators for
Angina
Diagnostic Skin testing
Agents
Mifepristone/
Misoprostol
Combined Hormonal
Contraceptives
Combined Hormonal
Systems
Zinc
09:05:04:2
09:05:04:3
09:05:04:4
09:05:04:5
Chromium
Dolomite
Kelp
Manganese
09:05:04:7
09:05:04:8
Selenium
Other Mineral
Formulations
Vitamin A
Beta-Carotene
Other Vitamin A
preparations
03:04:02:1
07:01:02:1
07:03:01:0
07:03:01:1
09:06:01:1
09:06:01:2
09:06:01:7
Comments
Sub-section heading only in BNF
Not used by BNF
Inc products previously
classified as Stoma Adjuncts in
the Drug Tariff Part IXC and are
discontinued
Original BNF chapter. Deleted
version 52
Original BNF chapter. Deleted
version 52
New Sub-section heading added
BNF 56
Original BNF chapter. Deleted
version 33
Not used by BNF
Not used by BNF
Not used by BNF
Not used by BNF
Not used by BNF
Not used by BNF
BNF 09:05:04 – Zinc has been
subdivided to cover other
minerals etc.
Selenium has now been added
to BNF 54 in 09:05:05.
BNF 09:06:01 – Vitamin A has
been subdivided to cover
different presentations of
Vitamin A
Page 7
April 2015
Chapter
NHS Prescription
Services Title
Comments
09:06:02:1
Cyanocobalamin (B12)
09:06:02:2
09:06:02:3
Nicotinamide (B7)
Pantothenic Acid (Calc
Pantotethenate)
Pyridoxine
Hydrochloride (B6)
Riboflavine (B2)
Thiamine Hydrochloride
(B1)
Vitamin B Compound
Other Vitamin B
Preparations
Laetrile (Vitamin B17)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic
Acid)
Vitamin C &
Bioflavonoids
Other Vitamin C
Preparations
Vitamin D
Other Vitamin D
Preparations
09:06:02:4
09:06:02:5
09:06:02:6
09:06:02:7
09:06:02:8
09:06:02:9
09:06:03:1
09:06:03:2
09:06:03:3
09:06:04:0
09:06:04:8
09:06:05:0
09:06:05:8
Vitamin E
Other Vitamin E
Preparations
09:06:08
Other Vitamin
Formulations
Foods
Compound Vit/Mineral
Formulations
Health Supplements
Amino Acids &
Nutritional Agents
Enzymes
Glandular
Digestive Aids
Other Health
Supplements
Other Eye preparations
Preparations for
Cataracts
09:09
09:10
09:11
09:11:01
09:11:02
09:11:03
09:11:04
09:12
11:08:03
11:08:05
8
BNF 09:06:02 – Vitamin B has
been subdivided into different
forms of Vitamin B. This also
includes the various healthfood
type vitamin B supplements
BNF 09:06:03 – Vitamin C has
been subdivided into different
forms of Vitamin C. This
includes healthfood type
Vitamin C supplements
BNF 09:06:04 Vitamin D has
been subdivided to cover
healthfood type Vitamin D
supplements
BNF 09:06:05- Vitamin E has
been subdivided to cover
healthfood type Vitamin E
supplements
excludes special diets
Excludes those covered above
in 09:11
Not used by BNF
Not used by BNF
April 2015
Chapter
12:03:04:1
13:02:03
13:05:00
13:06:00
13:13:01
13:13:02
13:13:08
13:14
13:15:00:0
15:02:01
15:02:02
18
18:01
18:02
18:03
18:04
18:05
19
19:01
19:02:01
19:02:02
19:02:03
19:02:05
19:02:07
19:03
NHS Prescription
Services Title
Breath
Fresheners/Disclosing
preparations
Dusting Powders
Preparations For
Eczema + Psoriasis
Preps for Acne
Medicated Stockings
Surgical Adhesive
Removers
Gel & Colloid Dressings
Comments
Not used by BNF
Was quoted in BNF. However
when Talc Dusting Powder, Zinc
Starch & Talc Dusting Powder
and Zeasorb were moved, this
subparagraph was deleted from
BNF 37
Not used by BNF
Not used by BNF
Covered in Appendix 5 of BNF
See 20:03 for Wound
management products
Topical Circulatory
Preparations
Miscellaneous Topical
Preparations
Listed in BNF Chapter 13:13
Local Anaesthetics
Adjuncts to intractable
pain spasticity
Preparations used in
Diagnosis
Urine Testing Reagents
Blood Testing Reagents
X-Ray Contrast media
Diagnostic Agents
Special Sanctions
Reagents
Other Drugs and
Preparations
BNF 15:02 split into two pseudo
chapters
Not used by BNF
Not used by BNF
Not used by BNF
Alcohol, Wines and
Spirits
Individually formulated
preparations bought in
Individually formulated
preparations prepared
Extemporaneously
Homeopathic
Preparations
Household and other
Over The Counter Lines
Poisoning Antidotes
Adjuncts to Dispensing
Page 9
April 2015
Chapter
19:04
19:05
19:06
19:06:01
19:06:02
19:06:03
19:06:04
19:06:05
19:06:06
19:06:07
19:07
19:08
19:09
19:10
19:11
19:12
19:13
19:14
19:14:01
19:04:02
19:04:03
19:04:04
19:15
20
20:01
20:02
20:03
20:04
20:05
20:06
20:07
20:08
20:09
20:10
20:11
20:12
20:13
20:14
20:15
20:16
NHS Prescription
Services Title
Single Substances
Other Preparations
Acids
Concentrated Waters
Essences
Extracts
Infusions
Oils
Tinctures
Syrups
Bases/Dil/Susp
Agents/Stabilisers
Colouring, Flavouring &
Sweetening Agents
Disinfectants, Preserv
& Sterilising Agents
Polysorbates & Tweens
Lubricating
Jelly/Pessaries
Electrode/Ultrasonic
Gels
Cordials/Soft Drinks
Waters
Sterile Water
Purified Water
Tap Water
Spring/Mineral & Soda
Waters
Other Gases
Drug Tariff Dressings
Absorbant Cottons
Arm Slings/Bandages
Wound Management &
Other Dressings
Gauzes & Gauze Tissue
Tracheostomy &
Laryngectomy
Appliances
Foam
Lints
Plasters
Stockinette
Surgical Adhesive Tape
Surgical Sutures
Swabs
Unspecified Dressing
Skin Closure Strips,
Sterile
Skin Adhesive, Sterile
Tapeless Holders
10
Comments
Now in Part IX of DT see also
21:14
April 2015
Chapter
20:17
20:18
NHS Prescription
Services Title
Comments
20:20
21
Cervical Collar
Cellulose Wadding BP
1988
Silk Garments
Drug Tariff Appliances
21:01
Other Appliances
21:02
21:03
21:04
21:05
21:06
21:07
21:08
21:09
21:14
Catheters
Chiropody Appliances
Contraceptive Devices
Suprapubic appliances
Trusses
Elastic Hosiery
Oxygen Masks
Special Sanction
Authorisations
CAPD Administration
Equipment
Special Authorisation in
Guernsey
Peak Flow Meters
Catheter Maintenance
Solutions
Lubricant Gels
21:16
21:17
Irrigation Solutions
Nasal Device
21:18
Drug Tariff Part IXA
21:21
Vacuum Pumps For
Erectile Dysfunction
Oral Film Foaming
Agents
Venous Ulcer
Compression System
Dry Mouth Products
21:22
Emollients
Drug Tariff Part IXA
21:23
Vaginal Moisturisers
Drug Tariff Part IXA
21:24
Nasal Products
Drug Tariff Part IXA
21:25
Vaginal Dilators
Drug Tariff Part IXA
21:26
Leg Ulcer Wrap
Drug Tariff Part IXA
21:27
Lymphoedema
Garments
Drug Tariff Part IXA
21:10
21:11
21:12
21:13
21:19
21:20
Page 11
DT Part IXA excluding
Dressings
Not covered by specified
sections
See BNF 07:03:04
See BNF 03:01:05
See BNF 07:04:04
In Part IX of DT – others see
19.11
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
April 2015
Chapter
21:28
21:29
21:30
21:31
21:32
21:33
21:34
21:35
21:36
21:37
21:38
21:39
21:40
21:41
21:42
21:43
21:44
21:45
21:46
22
23
NHS Prescription
Services Title
Comments
Anal Irrigation System
Plantar Pressure
Offloading Device
Eye Products
Cycloidal Vibration
Accessories
Inhalation Solutions
Indwelling Pleural Cath
Drain System
Vaginal PH Correction
Gels
Acne Treatment
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Adhesive Dressing
Remover Ster Silicone
Pelvic Toning Devices
Low Friction Products
Prosthetic Adhesives
Bacterial
Decolonisation
Products
Physical Debridement
Pad
Jaw Rehabilitation
Device
Micro-Enema – Sodium
Citrate
Dev For Adjunctive Tt
Of Hypertension
Douches
Hernia Support
Garments
Incontinence
Appliances
Stoma Appliances
Drug Tariff Part IXA
12
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
Drug Tariff Part IXA
DT Part IXB
DT Part IXC
April 2015
Changes made between BNF Versions
65/66 and 67/68 that are reflected in the current NHS Prescription
Services Classification
Version 65/66
BNF
01:06:07
Version 67/68
Title
BNF
N/A
01:06:07
5HT₄-receptor
agonists and
guanylate
cyclase-C
receptor agonists
NA
07:04:06
N/A
N/A
13:06:03
Entry
Other drugs used in
constipation
Drugs for premature
ejaculation
Topical preparations
Antimanic drugs
for rosacea
Note, the above shows the changes made to the BNF chapters. The table
should be read in conjunction with the previous tables to show variations in
the headings used in the NHS Prescription Services database.
Page 13
April 2015
Issued March 2015 by NHSBSA, Medicine Data Services, Bridge House, 152 Pilgrim
Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6SN
Telephone: 0191 2446456
14
April 2015