Which piece of information is not part of a drug product's National Drug Code (NDC)?

The National Drug Code (NDC) is a unique identification number for medications that provides specific information about the drug. It consists of three segments that identify the labeler (manufacturer), the product itself, and the package size.

The manufacturer's name is included in the NDC as it is part of the identifier for the labeler. Product strength is also essential information covered by the NDC, as it defines the potency of the medication. Package size is another critical component because it indicates the quantity of the drug within a specific sale unit.

However, a product's expiration date is not a part of the NDC. While expiration dates are crucial for ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications, they are not encoded in the NDC. Rather, the expiration date is typically provided on the drug packaging or in accompanying product literature. This distinction is important for understanding what the NDC encompasses and how it is used for identification and tracking in the pharmaceutical industry.