--- title: "Drug Builds: Drug Descriptions, Units, and Strength" description: Learn how to configure drug descriptions, units, strengths, and DARF details to ensure inventory is accurately tracked, dispensed, returned, and reported throughout the protocol. --- [Skip to content](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/drug-builds-drug-descriptions-units-and-strength#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![Vestigo-Logo-Md-1](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Vestigo-Logo-Md-1.png?width=239&height=75&name=Vestigo-Logo-Md-1.png)](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/vestigo?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - - [Contact Us for Support](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/contacting-support) [Contact Us for Support](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/contacting-support?hsLang=en) What can we help with? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Vestigo Help Center](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase?hsLang=en) 2. [Protocols](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/protocols?hsLang=en) 3. [Protocol Drug Builds](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/protocols?hsLang=en#protocol-drug-builds) September 29, 2026 # Drug Builds: Drug Descriptions, Units, and Strength ## Learn how to configure drug descriptions, units, strengths, and DARF details to ensure inventory is accurately tracked, dispensed, returned, and reported throughout the protocol. [**Back to the Drug Build Overview**](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/create-and-manage-a-protocol-drug-build-in-vestigo?hsLang=en)   This article explains how to configure the descriptive and measurement fields of a protocol drug build, including the drug description, generic name, inventory units, strength, return defaults, and DARF details. These settings determine how the drug is identified, counted, dispensed, returned, and displayed on drug accountability records throughout the protocol.  ![](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-23-36-8003-AM.png?width=651&height=408&name=image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-23-36-8003-AM.png)     ### Required permissions **ProtocolSnapshot** - Ability to view the Summary page of a Protocol (Protocol Snapshot). Required for all other protocol view permissions. **ProtocolManagement** - Protocol Management **EditProtocolDrugsOrders** - Drug management for a protocol   ### Drug Description The drug description is the name of the inventory that will display on the DARF and be identified through out Vestigo. Here are some things to keep in mind when creating a drug description: 1. It shows on the DARF – be sure to blind as appropriate 2. If it is a double-blind study, you will mostly like have one drug description and it can be built as drug/placebo 3. A drug description can be in the form of the actual drug name or the agent/chemical name. We recommend using the nomenclature of drug/supply name, dose amount, dose units, dose form, and package size. ![image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-31-38-0165-AM](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-31-38-0165-AM.png?width=572&height=96&name=image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-31-38-0165-AM.png)Eg: Blueberry 50mg tablets (100 tablets per bottle). This allows the user to see all components of the drug while performing transactions.   Caution - Once a Drug Description is set, it is not recommended to change it, unless you are correcting a typo or adding an additional identifier if the agent was given a name.     ### Generic Name The Generic Name is an optional field for the drug. The value entered here will only display on this screen and in certain reports available in Vestigo.   ### Inventory Units The inventory unit is how Vestigo will count the quantity of the drug when the drug is received as well as dispensed. **Example** - You may receive the drug as a bottle but if you dispense in tablets, then the unit should be tablets. Once this is set and inventory is received, the inventory units cannot be changed. A new drug build must be created if this was incorrectly set and a receipt happened. ![](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-30-45-2886-AM.png?width=637&height=100&name=image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-30-45-2886-AM.png)   ### Drug Strength and Units These two fields describe the base strength and unit of the drug and should further describe the Inventory Unit. If the inventory unit is tablet, the drug strength and units can be 1 tablet, or 10 mg. An important point to consider is the unit field is how the dose will be defaulted to when selecting inventory, but more importantly, how it is represented on the DARF. The strength field is a numerical value only and the units’ field is the corresponding unit of that strength. If dispensing a placebo, the drug strength may be 1 and the unit is tablet since you do not know the strength.  ![](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-34-02-7686-AM.png?width=670&height=172&name=image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-34-02-7686-AM.png)![](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-35-09-8427-AM.png?width=670&height=131&name=image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-35-09-8427-AM.png) The amount entered in the Dose Amount and Units during inventory selection becomes the Dose Description that appears on the DARF, unless one is defaulted in the order build. If there is a default dose description, it will use the default instead of the one entered during order prescription. **Note** - Edits to this section will not impact historical dispenses. However, if the units are changed, you must remove the drug build from the order and readd it to utilize the new units.   ###### Multiple Drug Builds on a Protocol Order If there are multiple drugs on an order build and multiples were used, your dose will appear different for those dispenses. ![](https://support.vestigo.biz/base/media/url/RZkCRLEIq1GKG4HYuONMERkeEvX4sAMN)  This is by design due to the order build using multiple different drug builds on the order (eg: Drug1 30mg Capsule and Drug2 50mg Capsule) and multiple drug builds were used. The first number, 100 *MG,* is associated with the specific dose for that drug that was entered during inventory selection. This number is specific to this drug build and will only show on that drug build DARF. ![image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-34-02-7686-AM](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-34-02-7686-AM.png?width=670&height=172&name=image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-34-02-7686-AM.png)  The second section, *200 MG*, is pulled from the dose description of the order.  ![](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-41-25-3142-AM.png?width=546&height=71&name=image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-41-25-3142-AM.png)   ### Default Return Units ![](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-47-16-4065-AM.png?width=607&height=107&name=image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-47-16-4065-AM.png)This field will default to the inventory units but can be adjusted if you are recording returns in a different unit. An example would be if you received and dispensed a BOTL of medication but are counting tablets on a participant return to record compliance.  **Note** - Edits to this section do not impact historical prescription returns.     ### Default Return Comments This field is optional but can be used to have a comment be defaulted into the comments section while recording a prescription return. This field can be used to help standardize comments when entering prescriptions returns. **Note** - Edits to this section do not impact historical prescription returns.   ### DAR Dose Form/Strength The dose form and strength for the DARF.![](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-44-43-2204-AM.png?width=592&height=93&name=image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-44-43-2204-AM.png) ![image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-43-35-8562-AM](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-43-35-8562-AM.png?width=298&height=114&name=image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-43-35-8562-AM.png) **Note** - Edits to this section will impact how the Dose Form and Strength appear on the DARF.   ### DAR Bottle Size![](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-45-51-0449-AM.png?width=462&height=148&name=image-png-Sep-29-2026-01-45-51-0449-AM.png) An optional field to add the size of the bottle, quantity in the bottle, or size of the vial. This value only appears on the NCI Oral and IDS Oral DARFs.   **Note** - Edits to this section will impact how the DAR Bottle Size appear on the DARF.   - [From McCreadie Group](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/from-mccreadie-group?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Features in Action! Webinar Series](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/from-mccreadie-group?hsLang=en#features-in-action-webinar-series) - [Updates from the Vestigo Team and McCreadie Group](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/from-mccreadie-group?hsLang=en#updates-from-the-vestigo-team-and-mccreadie-group) - [Vestigo News and Know How](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/from-mccreadie-group?hsLang=en#vestigo-news-and-know-how) - [Vestigo Releases](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/from-mccreadie-group?hsLang=en#vestigo-releases) - [Previous Webinars](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/from-mccreadie-group?hsLang=en#previous-webinars) - [General](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/general?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Vestigo Statement Documents](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/general?hsLang=en#vestigo-statement-documents) - [My Account](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/general?hsLang=en#my-account) - [Patient Profile](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/general?hsLang=en#patient-profile) - [Printers and Labels](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/general?hsLang=en#printers-and-labels) - [Address Book](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/general?hsLang=en#address-book) - [Templates](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/general?hsLang=en#templates) - [Calender](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/general?hsLang=en#calender) - [Workload](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/general?hsLang=en#workload) - [Protocol Specific Users](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/general?hsLang=en#protocol-specific-users) - [Application Administration](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/application-administration?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Client Information and Settings](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/application-administration?hsLang=en#client-information-and-settings) - [Facility Information and Settings](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/application-administration?hsLang=en#facility-information-and-settings) - [Inventory Locations](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/application-administration?hsLang=en#inventory-locations) - [User Accounts and Application Roles/Permissions](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/application-administration?hsLang=en#user-accounts-and-application-roles-permissions) - [Application Admin Audit Logs](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/application-administration?hsLang=en#application-admin-audit-logs) - [Protocols](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/protocols?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Protocol Management](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/protocols?hsLang=en#protocol-management) - [Protocol Drug Builds](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/protocols?hsLang=en#protocol-drug-builds) - [Participants and Enrollments](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/protocols?hsLang=en#participants-and-enrollments) - [Prescriptions](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/protocols?hsLang=en#prescriptions) - [Protocol Contacts](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/protocols?hsLang=en#protocol-contacts) - [Documents](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/protocols?hsLang=en#documents) - [Monitor Visits](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/protocols?hsLang=en#monitor-visits) - [Protocol Billing and Budgets](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/protocols?hsLang=en#protocol-billing-and-budgets) - [Inventory](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/inventory?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Shipment Receipts](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/inventory?hsLang=en#shipment-receipts) - [Inventory Edits](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/inventory?hsLang=en#inventory-edits) - [Inventory Transfers and Adjustments](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/inventory?hsLang=en#inventory-transfers-and-adjustments) - [Inventory Returns](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/inventory?hsLang=en#inventory-returns) - [Inventory Send Outs](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/inventory?hsLang=en#inventory-send-outs) - [Temperature Excursions](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/inventory?hsLang=en#temperature-excursions) - [Quality Checks](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/inventory?hsLang=en#quality-checks) - [Competencies](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/competencies?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Protocol Competency](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/competencies?hsLang=en#protocol-competency) - [Reports](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/reports?hsLang=en#main-content) - [App Admin Reports](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/reports?hsLang=en#app-admin-reports) - [Protocol Reports](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/reports?hsLang=en#protocol-reports) - [Global Reports](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/reports?hsLang=en#global-reports) - [Billing Reports](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/reports?hsLang=en#billing-reports) - [Billing](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/billing?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Fees](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/billing?hsLang=en#fees) - [Vestigo Interfaces and Integrations](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-interfaces-and-integrations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [CTMS Interface](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-interfaces-and-integrations?hsLang=en#ctms-interface) - [EHR Interface](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-interfaces-and-integrations?hsLang=en#ehr-interface) - [Chain of Custody](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-interfaces-and-integrations?hsLang=en#chain-of-custody) - [Vestigo Reporting API](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-interfaces-and-integrations?hsLang=en#vestigo-reporting-api) - [Barcode Validation](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-interfaces-and-integrations?hsLang=en#barcode-validation) - [Vestigo Digital Learning and Training](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-digital-learning-and-training?hsLang=en#main-content) - [General Overview](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-digital-learning-and-training?hsLang=en#general-overview) - [Vestigo for Pre-Clinical Studies](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-digital-learning-and-training?hsLang=en#vestigo-for-pre-clinical-studies) - [Protocol Build Basics](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-digital-learning-and-training?hsLang=en#protocol-build-basics) - [Protocol Management](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-digital-learning-and-training?hsLang=en#protocol-management) - [Inventory Management](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-digital-learning-and-training?hsLang=en#inventory-management) - [Inventory Transactions](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-digital-learning-and-training?hsLang=en#inventory-transactions) - [Application Administration](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-digital-learning-and-training?hsLang=en#application-administration) - [Monitor Visits and Vestigo Verify](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-digital-learning-and-training?hsLang=en#monitor-visits-and-vestigo-verify) - [Checklists and Workload](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-digital-learning-and-training?hsLang=en#checklists-and-workload) - [Billing and Budget Management](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/en/knowledgebase/vestigo-digital-learning-and-training?hsLang=en#billing-and-budget-management) [![McCreadie-Logo-Md](https://vestigohelp.mccreadiegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/McCreadie-Logo-Md.png?width=347&height=105&name=McCreadie-Logo-Md.png "McCreadie-Logo-Md")](https://mccreadiegroup.com) [mailto:support@mccreadiegroup.com](mailto:support@mccreadiegroup.com) Copyright © 2026, McCreadie Group Software LLC ↑