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International nonproprietary name (INN):
calling a drug by its real name

The Association Mieux Prescrire, the Fédération Nationale de la Mutualité Française and UFC - Que Choisir, launch the campaign "INN (international non-proprietary name): calling a drug by its real name".

A drug's INN is its internationally recognised scientific name. Employed both by patients and the medical team treating them, the INN frees users from the commercial names used by the drug companies. It restores each person to his or her proper role: the prescriber can concentrate on patient care, the pharmacist on the adaptation and monitoring of drug treatments, and the patients on the informed use of the drugs they know best. Prescrire is leading the INN campaign, as part of the Medicines in Europe Forum and in association with health care providers (the Fédération Nationale de la Mutualité Française) and the consumer group Union Fédérale des Consommateurs (UFC) - Que Choisir. The campaign, which will be rolled out over the next 12 months, aims to show the importance of the INN, using information sheets which will be distributed through various media, in doctors' surgeries, pharmacies, etc. With consumers being bombarded by advertising featuring drugs' commercial names, it is high time for health professionals, consumers and health care providers to unite and promote independent drugs education that uses drugs' real names, their INN (see also www.prescrire.org).

©Prescrire October 2005

Source: "Priorité à la DCI entre soignants et patients: le vrai nom du médicament" Rev Prescrire 2005 ; 25 (265) : 706-708.

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