AMT stands for the Australian Medicines Terminology and it’s a subset of SNOMED CT-AU (in the same way that a chapter is part of a book). The AMT is the preferred national medicines terminology for Australia. It has been endorsed by all state and territory governments.About the AMTThe AMT identifies and describes medicines in a standardised format that includes:product trade namedosage formstrengthpack sizecontainer type. The diagram shows information about Panadeine recorded in the AMT. In the AMT, medicines terms are coded and linked. These links create meaning and enable computers to automatically interpret data entered by health professionals.Search for medicines using the AMT (CSIRO Shrimp browser) In actionThe AMT makes it possible for all Australians to access a list of medicines that they have been prescribed or dispensed through My Health Record. Why a standard format for medicines?When different software e.g. GP software and pharmacy software, describes medicines using different terms and codes, it causes confusion when data is exchanged. This can lead to errors with:recordingprescribingdispensingadministration.Patient safety is put at risk.When clinical software throughout Australia uses the same medicines terminology, errors will be reduced and patients will be safer. In actionA GP prescribes a medicine and issues an electronic prescription. A pharmacist scans the prescription and dispenses the correct medicine. Standardised medicines terminology is a critical part of the digital health ecosystem that makes this possible. BenefitsPotential benefits of using the AMT include:reducing errors resulting from incorrect or misinterpreted medicines informationreliably recording medicines information in digital patient recordssharing a patient’s list of medicines (this is called interoperability) more easilycomplying with legal requirements for prescribing and dispensing medicineslinking the AMT concept to the physical form of the product in the supply chain, which helps when medicines are recalled.Who should use itWe want every organisation in Australia that deals with medicines data to use the AMT.Many software vendors are already using it. See who's using the AMT. How to get itWe provide instant access to the AMT in a variety of formats.Please contact us so we can advise on the best implementation approach.Access the AMTMore informationDownload the Australian Medicines Terminology fact sheet Considering implementing SNOMED CT-AU?Healthcare providers and software vendors: please get in touch so we can advise on the best approach. Emailhelp@digitalhealth.gov.auCall 1300 901 0018am – 5pm (AEST/AEDT), Monday – Friday