Naming of medicines

Normally medicines have two names:

• The generic name: which is the active ingredient of the medicine
• The trade name: that is used for the sale and distribution of the medicine. This is also known as brand name.

When a new drug is discovered, it is tested for its efficacy and safety before it is approved. Once approved, the company who discovered it gets the patent rights and they have the exclusive rights to market the drug with a brand name till the patent expires.

Once the patent expires, a lot of companies produce many cheaper medicines of the same active ingredient and thus are marketed with their generic names.

Note:

There is always a little difference between the different generic medicines of the same active component. This is why whatever medicine you take, always take of the same brand.

Compiled by: Indrajit Sinha; Last updated: 19.11.07© Medhospital Foundation

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