Drug Identification Number Registration (DIN Numbers in Canada)

You may wish to register your Drug Identification Number (DIN Number) to sell your product on the Canadian market as an NHP or if your product is considered a drug. A Drug Identification Number (DIN) is an eight-digit number assigned by Health Canada to show that it has been authorized for sale. Many organizations use DIN numbers to meet global standards for quality control, traceability, and safety. We can assist you with preparing and filing Drug Identification Number (DIN Number) applications and meeting the requirements set out by Health Canada. Learn more about how DIN Numbers aid prescription and patient safety and  the DINs components, purpose and more. See our full list of DIN regulatory services.

Manufacturing of DIN Products

  • DIN products must be manufactured in a facility that follows good manufacturing practices (GMP)
  • If the facility is based in Canada, that business must obtain a drug establishment license
  • Foreign sites must also show evidence that they are following GMP through a Health Canada licensed importer
  • DIN products cannot be sold prior to license issuance
  • Licensing timelines vary and can be as fast as 45 days. 
  • Health Canada’s fees for drug license application submissions are due initially upon submission of an application and annually after that.
  • The fee varies and increases annually based on the rate of inflation.

What is a Drug Identification Number (DIN)?

A Drug Identification Number (DIN) is regulated by Health Canada, including OTC drugs (Over-the-Counter medicines sold directly to consumers without a prescription) to ensure they are safe to use. It is on the label of prescription and over-the-counter drug products evaluated and authorized for sale in Canada. It uniquely identifies all drug products sold in a dosage form in Canada. It is very important as this allows pharmacies to dispense the correct drug and helps ensure safe patient care.  Here are 5 reasons why DINs are important.

Drug Identification Number DIN
Drug Identification Number Canada

How are Drug Identification Numbers (DINs) assigned?

Health Canada assigns DINs, and the federal department responsible for regulating drugs and other health products in Canada assigns DINs. To obtain a DIN, a drug manufacturer must submit an application to Health Canada that includes detailed information about the drug product, including its composition, manufacturing process, and intended use. Health Canada reviews the application to ensure the drug meets all regulatory safety, efficacy, and quality requirements before assigning a DIN. It uniquely identifies all drug products sold in a dosage form in Canada. It is very important as this allows pharmacies to dispense the correct drug and helps ensure safe patient care.

What are the uses of a (DIN) Drug Identification Number?

DIN numbers can be used in a variety of ways. Common uses include a product identifier when ordering supplies and parts, a traceability identifier for safety and quality control purposes, and identifying suppliers and manufacturers. Sometimes, organizations may even use DIN numbers to enable customer tracking or marketing campaigns.

DIN Number

Monograph Categories for Over-the-Counter Drugs

There are many monograph categories for OTC Drugs in Canada.  They are Labeling Standard, TPD Category IV, and Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (i.e. NSAIDs).

Labelling Standards Non-prescription Monographs are:

Acetaminophen Labelling StandardAcetylsalicylic Acid Labelling StandardAnorectal Drug ProductsAntacidsAnthelminticsAntiflatulents
Antifungal (Naftifine & Imidazole) Antifungals (topical) Antitussive – AdultBismuth SubsalicylateCough and ColdPaediatric Cough and Cold Products Attestation of Compliance
CyproheptadineDecongestantDimenhydrinateEthylene Oxide Gaseous Sterilants Expectorant – Adult Famotidine
Intravaginal (Miconazole & Clotrimazole)Non-Classical Antihistamines Poison Treatment Sleep Aids Topical Anaesthetic/Analgesic/AntipruriticTopical Antibiotics

Category IV Monographs Include

Acne Therapy
Sunscreen Monographs
Medicated Skin Care Products
Diaper Rash Products
Anti-Dandruff Products
Antiseptic Skin Cleansers
Athlete’s Foot Treatments
Throat Lozenges
Note that these Category IV Monographs are also listed as NHP Monographs. Some of the ingredients in these monographs are classified as NHPs, while others are classified as drugs.

NSAIDS Monograph ingredients include:

  • Celecoxib
  • Diclofenac
  • Ibuprofen
  • Indomethacin
  • Meloxicam
  • Naproxen
DIN Number

What elements are on each Drug Identification Number DIN?

  • name of manufacturer (company name selling product and responsible for the product)
  • product brand name
  • active ingredient
  • strength of the active ingredient
  • form of product (such as pill, liquid, or capsule)
  • route of administration

Who needs to register their DIN Drug Identification Number?

A Drug Identification Number (DIN) is a unique identifier for health products and devices, including drugs, biologics, and medical devices. The DIN numbers are assigned by Health Canada after a review of the product’s chemistry, manufacturing methods, quality assurance systems, and packaging material. If you want to market your product in Canada as either an NHP or a drug, you will need one or both numbers. Anyone who wishes to sell their product as an NHP or as a drug in Canada must have their DIN registered with Health Canada.

DIN Number Registration
Health Canada assigns DINs, and the federal department responsible for regulating drugs and other health products in Canada assigns DINs. To obtain a DIN, a drug manufacturer must submit an application to Health Canada that includes detailed information about the drug product, including its composition, manufacturing process, and intended use. Health Canada reviews the application to ensure the drug meets all regulatory safety, efficacy, and quality requirements before assigning a DIN.
What are some common misconceptions about Drug Identification Numbers (DINs)?

One common misconception about DINs is that they indicate the safety or effectiveness of a drug. However, DINs are unique identifiers assigned to a drug product approved for sale in Canada. Another misconception is that all drugs sold in Canada require a DIN. Some natural health products do not require a DIN but may have a Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) instead.

Frequently Asked Questions - Drug Identification Number

Obtaining a Drug Identification Number (DIN) is important because this number indicates the drug has met Health Canada’s requirements for safety, quality, and effectiveness.

A Drug Identification Number (DIN) is located on the label of prescription and OTC drugs and confirms that the product has been evaluated and authorized for sale in Canada.

To obtain a DIN for your drug products, a DIN submission must be filed with Health Canada. Prior to issuing DINs, Health Canada’s Drugs Directorate requires the submission of sufficient data to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a drug for its intended use. A submission for a DIN should contain the following information for review:

  • a completed Drug Submission Application, including proposed Canadian labels and prescribing information or a package insert where applicable
  • a completed DIN Submission Certification or Category IV Drug Submission Certification as appropriate
  • specific product type information as requested by Health Canada

Drug Identification Number (DIN) is a computer-generated digit number, assigned to a drug product prior to being sold in Canada. 

Health Canada regulates OTC (Over-the-counter medicines sold directly to consumers without a prescription) drugs to ensure they are safe to use and decrease the health risks for Canadians. In the USA, the FDA carries out a regulatory review of OTC drugs based on active pharmaceutical ingredients and labeling. More than 300,000 OTC drug products are available in the US market.

  • DIN products must be manufactured in a facility that follows good manufacturing practices (GMP)
  • If the facility is based in Canada, that business must obtain a drug establishment license
  • Foreign sites must also show evidence that they are following GMP through a Health Canada licensed importer
  • DIN products cannot be sold prior to license issuance
  • Licensing timelines vary as fast as 45 days 
  • Health Canada’s fees for drug license application submissions are due initially and annually thereafter
  • The fee varies and increases annually based on the rate of inflation
  • Celecoxib
  • Diclofenac
  • Ibuprofen
  • Indomethacin
  • Meloxicam
  • Naproxen
  • Labeling Standard
  • TPD Category IV
  • Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)
  • Acne Therapy
  • Sunscreen Monographs
  • Medicated Skin Care Products
  • Diaper Rash Products
  • Anti-Dandruff Products
  • Antiseptic Skin Cleansers
  • Athlete’s Foot Treatments
  • Throat Lozenges

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