Third slicing variant swiss pharmacode in CH Core Medication (CISTEC AG)

[ig-feedback]

ch.fhir.ig.ch-core#6.0.0-ballot-ci-build /StructureDefinition-ch-core-medication.html

In the Swiss Hospindex, we recently analyzed that we only have a GTIN available for 74498 out of 86134 articles, while the Pharmacode aka article ID is always available as the primary key. That is still around 13.5% of articles not covered, which often fall into the area of imported products or alternative medication.

We would like to propose creating an additional option in CH Core Medication to allow the proprietary but well-established Swiss Pharmacode as a third slicing variant. This would not be intended as a preferred option, but as a fallback option to avoid the loss of information that occurs when switching to the “coarser” ATC code.

It would help to better establish the FHIR format as long as a GTIN is not available for every item in the HCI Solutions Hospindex.

Otherwise, we will unfortunately lose structured information in exchange scenarios, as is currently the case in a project between Compassana and Cistec AG.

Thank you for considering this suggestion

CISTEC AG

[ziegm]

Regardless of the decision on introducing a slice for the pharmacode in the CH Core Medication profile:

As the slicing on Medication.code is open by value:system you are always able to add this structured information in an exchange, e.g.

  "code" : {
    "coding" : [
      {
        "system" : "urn:oid:2.16.756.5.30.2.6.1",
        "code" : "2528136",
        "display" : "ASPIRIN Brausetabl 500 mg"
      }
    ],
    "text" : "ASPIRIN Brausetabl 500 mg"
  },

[oliveregger]

issue raised by daniel ratschiller

discussion on 7.5.2025:

• Michaela: compromise to add it as a example
• Daniel V: is an example visible enough?
• Daniel R: Issue with foreign medications sold in Switzerland

wait for harmonization IG eMediplan - eHealth Suisse