Why international naming standards are needed
In the modern pharmaceutical market, a situation has developed where the same active chemical substance is produced by various companies and sold under a multitude of unique trade (brand) names. This creates a serious identification problem and can lead to confusion. To solve this problem and accurately identify each substance, a unified, global standard was required.
In the early 1950s, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a large-scale program. The main goal was to introduce International Nonproprietary Names (International Nonproprietary Names) into global medical practice. Starting in 1953, the WHO has systematically published lists including thousands of approved names. The primary source of these data is the official periodical WHO Drug Information.
Fluency in this nomenclature is critically important for practicing physicians. Knowledge of INN is the foundation for rational therapy selection, effective patient treatment prescription, and consideration of important economic aspects when procuring medications.
Linguistic norms and the status of the Latin language
In official WHO documents and reference books, international names are provided immediately in four basic languages. They always follow in a strictly regulated sequence:
- Latin (traditionally highlighted in bold in documents).
- English.
- French.
- Spanish.
For clarity, consider the following translation example: the Latin version is tenivastatinum, English is tenivastatin, French is ténivastatine, Spanish is tenivastatina.
It is the Latin grammatical form that is officially recognized as the standard. The main function of such a standard is to ensure guaranteed international recognition of the medicinal product by specialists from anywhere on the planet. The use of Latin helps maintain a diplomatic balance, without giving priority to any modern national language. Given globalization trends, a decision has been made to gradually add Arabic, Chinese, and Russian variants to the official registries.
Grammatical structure of Latin names
To make it easier for specialists to memorize and use the terminology, all INNs in Latin are subject to strict and invariable rules. They have an absolutely standardized grammatical form that allows no exceptions:
- Part of speech: All names are nouns.
- Declension type: They belong exclusively to the second declension.
- Grammatical gender: All terms belong to the neuter gender.
- Ending: The dictionary form always ends in -um.
Such rigid grammatical standardization makes it easy to integrate names into prescription formulas and correctly decline them by case.
Formation rules and practical use
Specialized WHO experts are engaged in creating lists of new names. After approval, these lists are sent to all countries of the world for review and subsequent registration. Today, INNs are universally replacing obsolete national pharmacopoeial names.
The development of a new term is subject to strict principles. The key rule is reflecting the pharmacological relationship of substances. An INN must demonstrate the substance's belonging to a specific group of related compounds. When naming the very first representative drug of a new group, experts must lay the linguistic foundation for the systematic formation of future analogue names.
In the Russian Federation, the use of this nomenclature is legally established. According to Article 16 of the Federal Law "On Medicines", medications are permitted for circulation exclusively if an INN is present. On the packaging and in the package leaflet, it is customary to indicate two names: first the Trade name (brand), and then the INN. Example: the drug is sold under the brand name Troxevasin, while its international name is Troxerutinum.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What stems are used in INNs to denote penicillin antibiotics?
To designate penicillin antibiotics in International Nonproprietary Names, a special common stem is used, reflecting the group affiliation of the medicinal products. The following stem is used in Latin:
- -cillin (-cillinum / -cillin-) — penicillin group antibiotics.
An example of using this stem is the drug Ampicillinum (ampicillin).
What stems are used to form the Latin names of local anesthetics?
To form the Latin names of local anesthetics, a specific common stem is used, indicating the local anesthetic effect of the drug. The group affiliation of such medicinal products is reflected through the following stem:
- -caine (-cainum) — local anesthetic substances (local anesthetics).
This element is regularly included in lists of stems in Latin and English.
Remembering the Latin grammar of INNs is helped by the rule of three Ns: Noun, Neuter gender, Second declension ending in -UM.
Class and exam questions
Who is responsible for developing and approving new nonproprietary names?
This task is performed by specialized experts of the World Health Organization (WHO). The approved lists are then sent to all states for review.
Why is the Latin version considered the standard?
The Latin form makes it easy to identify the medication in any country of the world. At the same time, the WHO maintains neutrality, without giving priority to modern state languages.
How is the INN indicated on the drug packaging?
At the beginning of the instructions and on the box itself, the commercial trade name is usually written first, and next to it or below it, the international nonproprietary name is indicated.
What else to study on this topic
- The origin and exact meaning of the term "Pharmacopoeia" in the context of standardization.
- Specifics of using INNs instead of national pharmacopoeial generic names.
- Analysis of examples applying the principle of group pharmacological relatedness when creating new names.
- The impact of INN use on the economic aspects of prescribing drug therapy.
Master the entire topic in the "Latin Language" course
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Other topics in "Pharmaceutical Terminology. INN. Trade Names"
The entire section "Pharmaceutical Terminology. INN. Trade Names"Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.