Since 2007, Prescrire has been participating in the public consultations on the INNs proposed by the WHO, by submitting comments intended to improve the safety of INNs.
The World Health Organization (WHO) releases for public consultation the international nonproprietary names (INNs) it proposes for drugs before their final adoption. Prescrire has been participating in these public consultations on proposed INNs since 2007, during which time it has submitted numerous comments. The WHO INN programme has occasionally taken certain objections into account.
It is easier to replace a proposed INN when a risk of confusion is identified early, before the drug concerned is brought to the market. Critical analysis of proposed INNs during WHO public consultations offers an insight into the challenges involved in devising common stems. It is useful for helping to make INNs safer.
©Prescrire June 2020