The generic name of a drug is the international non-proprietary name, which refers to the name that can be used commonly throughout the world. Such as aspirin. The generic name should be included on any drug package insert.

The drug trade name is a product name determined by the drug manufacturer itself and approved by the drug regulatory department. It is proprietary and may not be copied. Under a common name, there can be multiple trade names due to different manufacturers.

The common name of a drug is formulated by the Pharmacopoeia Committee in accordance with the "Principles for Naming Common Names of Drugs" and reported to the Ministry of Health for filing. It is the common name of drugs with the same ingredients or the same formula in China. The name is mandatory and binding. Therefore, the generic name must be used on the labels, instructions or packaging of drugs that are put on the market. The naming should comply with the "Principles for Naming Generic Drug Names" and cannot be used for trademark registration.

Extended information

The advantages of implementing the common names of drugs:

1. It is conducive to improving the quality of drugs

Pay attention to the common names of drugs , so that pharmaceutical manufacturers will no longer be burdened by drug trade names, no longer focus on changes in drug packaging and drug trade names, and will not rack their brains and take the trouble to declare "new drugs." Their production focus will be on the production of drugs, and they will pay more attention to the improvement of dosage forms and the quality of drugs.

2. It is helpful to reduce the drug consumption burden of patients

The "Prescription Management Measures" implemented from May 1, 2007 stipulates that doctors must use the generic name of the drug when prescribing. . If patients can independently choose medicines with different prices based on their actual conditions, the rights and interests of patients can be protected to a large extent, and it will help change the trend of "new" medicines and high-priced medicines, and the fact that no one cares about medicines with proven efficacy and low prices. strange phenomenon, thus reducing the patient’s drug consumption burden.

3. It is conducive to curbing various corruption phenomena

Paying more attention to the use of generic drug names in the production, circulation and use of drugs can eliminate the "rent-seeking" phenomenon of drug approval departments conditions, reduce the "pricing gains" of drug manufacturers, avoid "big prescriptions" in hospitals and drug sales kickbacks, standardize pharmaceutical management, and stabilize the order of the drug market.

4. It is conducive to breaking the monopoly of hospital pharmacies

my country’s hospital drug sales account for more than 80% of the market share. Common names will be used for drugs in hospital prescriptions, and patients can buy the drugs they need in public pharmacies. Will it help break the monopoly of hospital pharmacies and promote fair competition in my country's drug sales terminals?

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia - Generic name of drug