The drug registry was launched along with digital initiatives including Aarogya Setu 2.0, Ayushman App, Ayushman Sarathi WhatsApp Chatbot

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In an effort to standardise and unify medicine-related information across the country, a drug registry was launched , along with a slew of other digital health initiatives, by the Union Health Minister JP Nadda.“Across healthcare systems in India, the same drug is often represented using different names and formats, leading to inconsistencies, duplication, data entry errors, and lack of interoperability. This creates challenges in clinical decision-making, e-prescriptions, supply chain management, and continuity of care,” a note from the Ministry said, explaining the significance of the drug registry.Under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), the platform paves the ways for consistent identification, storage, exchange and usage of drug data across healthcare systems, the note said. The ABDM has four registries, including ABHA Registry (for individuals); Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR); Health Facility Registry (HFR) and a Drug Registry (for medicines).StandardisedThe drug registry is developed in collaboration with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and National Resource Centre for EHR Standards (NRCeS), Pune, it said. The registry includes standardized drug codes covering generic (clinical drugs), branded medicines and substances and presently comprises 123,000-plus branded drugs, 10,000-plus generic drugs and 29,000-plus substances, the Ministry said. It would help users search and identify drugs using its generic name, brand name, substance and manufacturer, among others.“Built on standardized terminology and aligned with global standards, the Drug Registry ensures accuracy, transparency, and seamless data exchange across healthcare systems,” it said. This would further integrate with Hospital Management Information Systems (HMIS), E-prescription platforms, Doctor-facing applications and ABDM-compliant digital health solutions, it added.Other LaunchesThe drug registry was launched along with digital initiatives including Aarogya Setu 2.0, Ayushman App, Ayushman Sarathi WhatsApp Chatbot, National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX), Insurance Plan FHIR Object Creator, e-Sushrut Clinic, Unified Health Interface (UHI), Common LOINC Codes for India (CLCI) and Bharat Health Terminology Service (BHTS).Developed under the aegis of the National Health Authority (NHA), these initiatives aim to improve accessibility and continuity of care, enabling a seamless exchange of health information across the healthcare ecosystem, it said.Published on June 29, 2026