What is the official name of a drug that is commonly used in medicine?

The official name of a drug that is commonly used in medicine is known as the generic name. This name is assigned by the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council and is recognized universally. The generic name reflects the chemical structure of the drug or its pharmacological properties, making it a standard reference that healthcare professionals can use globally to identify a medication without using brand marketing terms.

A key aspect of the generic name is that it is not protected by trademark, allowing any manufacturer to produce the medication once the patent has expired. This is particularly important for the formulation of generic drugs, which serve as more affordable alternatives to their brand-name counterparts.

In contrast, a brand name refers to the name given by the pharmaceutical company and may vary by market and can be protected as a trademark. A registered trademark signifies legal protection of a brand name, whereas a pharmaceutical name is not a standard term used in the same way as generic in medical references. Hence, the generic name holds particular significance in healthcare as it ensures clarity and uniformity in medication administration.