Each class contains more than one drug but within each class the way in which the drugs work is essentially the same. All drugs have at least two names – the “generic” name which is its officially recognised name and one or more “proprietary” or “brand” names given to the drug by different manufacturers.

When new drugs are formulated and marketed by a pharmaceutical company, they are protected by patent for several years during which time that company will be the only one producing the drug so the drug will have only one proprietary name along with its single generic name.

Once the patent runs out then the fun and games starts with the other Drug Companies taking part in what can best be described as an online “Gold Rush” trying to make and sell their versions of the successful drug and then giving it their own proprietary names.

Adding to this complexity of drug names is the Commercial practice of combining more than one drug in one tablet. These “Combination” drugs have some advantages, because it is easier to remember to swallow one pill than two for example, but as the dosage within the tablet is fixed they are less flexible in use. They also increase further the range of proprietary names.

The names of drugs can therefore easily become very confusing. Add a further source of confusion certainly within the UK and Europe at present in that all Drugs and Pharmaceuticals a4re in the process of changing to a set European Standard so it will be fun and games with the names again. This will affect certainly the household brands that have been in use for decades by Doctors (and are still probably being used on prescription forms). Fun eh?