1. DWC

Workers' compensation pharmacy fee schedule

Converting 10-digit NDC to an 11-digit NDC

National Drug Code (NDC) is a unique identifier for drugs marketed in the United States.  NDC is typically found on a drug’s container label.  In some instances, the NDC appears as part of a container’s Universal Product Code (UPC bar code).

The FDA standard NDC format is a three-segment number that contains 10 digits.  The segments identify:

  • Labeler Code (manufacturer) – Product Code (drug, strength, dosage form) – Package Code (amount of drug in the container). 

The FDA has three different formats/combinations used to display the 10-digit NDC.  The standard FDA formats are shown below with the equivalent 11-digit NDC format.  The NDC11 is created by adding a leading zero to one of the three segments depending on the FDA standard format used, as follows:

  • 4 – 4 – 2 Format
    • FDA NDC format = 1234 – 5678 – 90
    • NDC11 format = 01234 – 5678 – 90 (leading zero added to labeler)
    • NDC11 format to enter in calculators = 01234567890
  • 5 – 3 – 2 Format
    • FDA NDC format = 12345 – 678 – 90
    • NDC11 format = 12345 – 0678 – 90 (leading zero added to product code)
    • NDC11 format = 12345067890
  • 5 – 4 – 1 Format
    • FDA NDC format = 12345 – 678 – 0
    • NDC11 format = 12345 –6789 – 00 (leading zero added to package code
    • NDC11 format = 12345678900

April 2025