Question

A drug can have three different names -- the chemical, the generic, and the brand name.

Why do we use three names for a single medication? Who does this benefit?

Do you think having three names is useful? Harmful?

How might having three names for the same drug affect patient care and knowledge?

How can the medical professional limit the risk of error in having three names?

Answer 1

Brand name is chosen by the company selling the drug. Generic name is given by USAN council and to identify a drug in clinical or marketing situation . Chemical name is the chemical nature of the compound used in studies, not used in identification.

The different names makes confusion to elderly and may cause doubling up off medicines due to its similarity. Also some times if the prescribed nane is jot seen, patients will not take the medicine also.

Another problem is that if doctor prescribes a brand nane, pharmacist may substitute with its generic drug,.so patient may leave pharmacy with no similarity to prescription.  

Doctorss must use generic terms unless a reason exists. Because so many brand names available, but only one generic name, it may be available less costly also. But the easy and memorable brand names makes them prescribe expensive brand names and creates difficulty. It also denies the patients autonimy to choose the brand he prefers. So medical professionals should strictly use generic names only.