In the pharmacy benefits space, there is a term commonly used called the MONY code.

What is the MONY code?

This term is referring to the Multi-Source Indicator from Medi-Span. The Multi-Source Indicator is used by some PBMs to determine brand and generic distinction of a drug product. The actual Multi-Source Indicator codes are: M, O, N, and Y, also commonly referred to as the MONY code. The M, O, and N codes represent brand drugs. The Y code represents a generic. There are three codes for a brand to represent different types of brands. See below for further definitions of these codes:

M  – a Single-Source, co-licensed product. Product is co-licensed and considered a single-source product despite being available from multiple labelers. This is also known as a multi-source brand made by more than one manufacturer and it does not have any generics available.

O  – a Multi-Source, originator product. Product available from multiple labelers considered to be the industry standard. This is also known as the originator drug or original brand drug that now has generics available.

N  – a Single-Source product. Single-source product available from one labeler. This is also known as a single-source brand made by a single manufacturer and it does not have any generics available.

There is one Multi-Source code that represents a generic drug product. See below for further definition of this code:

Y  – a Multi-Source product. Multi-source products are available from multiple labelers. This is also known as a generic, usually made by multiple manufacturers.

Medi-Span is a third-party national source of drug information that PBMs utilize for different functions to administer a pharmacy benefit. For example, Medi-Span provides drug cost information, like Average Wholesale Price (AWP), Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC), and other pricing values. They also provide clinical information about drugs to support Drug Utilization Review programs and editing by the PBMs. Medi-Span provides a list of drugs by NDC but also categorizes the drugs into different levels that can be rolled up by manufacturer, dosage, strength, and other similar types of groupings to help support PBM’s efficiently build formularies and associated rules and editing within their claims processing systems.