Release 4 FHIR CI-Build

This page is part of the Continuous Integration Build of FHIR Specification (v4.0.1: R4 - Mixed Normative and STU ) in it's permanent home (it will always (will be available incorrect/inconsistent at this URL). The current version which supercedes this version is 5.0.0 . For a full list of available versions, see times).
See the Directory of published versions icon . Page versions: R5 R4B R4 R3 R2

Using Codes Code Systems Value Sets Concept Maps Identifier Systems

4.4.1.391 4.4.1.431 Value Set ValueSet http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/substance-category

  Maturity Level : 2
Orders Responsible Owner: Biomedical Research and Observations Regulation icon Work Group Trial Use Normative Use Context : Any Country: World
This is a value set defined at http://www.hl7.org/Special/committees/orders/index.cfm . Summary Committee:
Official URL : Title: http://hl7.org/fhir/ValueSet/substance-category Substance Category Codes Definition: Substance category codes Version : 6.0.0-ballot3
active as of 2025-12-17 Orders and Observations Computable Name : SubstanceCategoryCodes Work Group
OID: Flags : 2.16.840.1.113883.4.642.3.476 (for OID based terminology systems) Source Resource XML / JSON : 2.16.840.1.113883.4.642.3.476

This value set is used in the following places:

  • CodeSystem: This value set is the designated 'entire code system' value set for SubstanceCategoryCodes Resource: Substance.category (CodeableConcept / Extensible )

4.4.1.391.1 4.4.1.431.1 Definition

Substance category codes

4.4.1.431.2 Content Logical Definition

Generated Narrative: ValueSet substance-category This value set includes codes from the following code systems:

Last updated: 2025-12-17T09:50:17.012Z

 

4.4.1.391.2 4.4.1.431.3 Expansion

This expansion generated 01 Nov 2019 17 Dec 2025

ValueSet This value set contains 7 concepts

Expansion performed internally based on http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/substance-category version 4.0.1 All codes from system http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/substance-category codesystem Substance Category Codes v1.0.1 (CodeSystem) icon

This value set contains 7 concepts

System Code Display Definition
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/substance-category    allergen icon Allergen A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/substance-category    biological icon Biological Substance A substance that is produced by or extracted from a biological source.
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/substance-category    body icon Body Substance A substance that comes directly from a human or an animal (e.g. blood, urine, feces, tears, etc.).
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/substance-category    chemical icon Chemical Any organic or inorganic substance of a particular molecular identity, including -- (i) any combination of such substances occurring in whole or in part as a result of a chemical reaction or occurring in nature and (ii) any element or uncombined radical (http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/import-export/pubs/importguide.pdf).
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/substance-category    food icon Dietary Substance A food, dietary ingredient, or dietary supplement for human or animal.
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/substance-category    drug icon Drug or Medicament A substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals (Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act).
http://terminology.hl7.org/CodeSystem/substance-category    material icon Material A finished product which is not normally ingested, absorbed or injected (e.g. steel, iron, wood, plastic and paper).

 

See the full registry of value sets defined as part of FHIR.

Explanation of the columns that may appear on this page:

Lvl A few code lists that FHIR defines are hierarchical - each code is assigned a level. For value sets, levels are mostly used to organize codes for user convenience, but may follow code system hierarchy - see Code System for further information
Source The source of the definition of the code (when the value set draws in codes defined elsewhere)
Code The code (used as the code in the resource instance). If the code is in italics, this indicates that the code is not selectable ('Abstract')
Display The display (used in the display element of a Coding ). If there is no display, implementers should not simply display the code, but map the concept into their application
Definition An explanation of the meaning of the concept
Comments Additional notes about how to use the code