Australian Bureau of Statistics
Celebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013

USING THE CLASSIFICATION

EDITING SPECIFICATIONS

As some responses are assigned supplementary codes rather than the codes of particular drugs, it is important that in verifying input codes, manipulating data, aggregating data to higher level categories and deriving output items and tables, the full range of valid codes are included in all specifications. The valid range of codes for the main classification structure comprises the following:

• all the codes included in the detailed classification structure; and
• all the codes included in the supplementary codes list.
  

These codes are listed in the Type of Drug Classification and Additional Classifications data cube.

STORAGE AND PRESENTATION OF DATA

Regardless of the level of aggregation envisaged for the dissemination of statistics, the ABS recommends that data be captured, classified and stored at the four-digit level. This will allow the greatest flexibility for the output of statistics, enable more detailed and complex analysis, facilitate comparisons with data using different classifications and preserve information to provide maximum flexibility for future use of the data.

However, because of confidentiality constraints, it may not be possible to output data at the lower levels of the classification in all instances. The use of a standard classification framework will nevertheless enhance data comparability even though it may not always be possible to disseminate data at the most detailed level.

The hierarchical structure of the ASCDC allows users the flexibility to output statistics at the level of the classification which best suits their particular purposes. Data can be presented at the broad group level, narrow group level or the base level. If necessary, significant drugs within a narrow group can be presented separately while the remaining base level units within the narrow group are aggregated. The same principle can be adopted to highlight significant narrow groups within a broad group.

It should be noted that drugs from different narrow groups should not be added together to form an aggregation as this corrupts the application of the classification criteria and has repercussions on data comparability. Similarly, narrow groups from different broad groups should not be grouped together.