Question

A drug can have three different names -- the chemical, the generic, and the brand name. Do you think this is useful? How might having three names for the same drug affect patient care and knowledge? Why do we have three names for a single medication? How can the medical professional limit the risk of error in having three names? Be sure to respond to a classmate's posting as well.

Answer 1

Do you think this is useful? Ans. Yes

Having three names for same drug will affect patient care and knowledge? Ans. Yes, it will definitely affect patient knowledge if he is non-medico as he may be unaware of the all 3 names for a particular drug. He won't be able to find or get an alternative drug in pharmacy if he has only brand name and not chemical name.

Why do we have three names for single medicine? Ans. This is because any one name can be used and standardized worldwide. Even for a particular disease condition a chemical name drug should be worldwide speeded for easy prevention. Example- Quinine for Malarial Parasites.

How can medical professional limit risk of error in having three names? Ans. A medical professional should prescribe medicine with generic name or chemical name compulsorily with brand name. Or he should inform or note down the chemical name if medical professional is prescribing only brand name medicines.