Names of medicines to be simplified

Press release

Date:	02 Mar 2004
Time:	00:00
Subject:	Names of medicines to be simplified (reference 2004/0088)
Contact:	Press Office 020 7084 3651 or press.office@mhra.gsi.gov.uk Out-of-hours 07770 446 189

 A programme of action to reduce the risk of error in the prescribing and dispensing of medicines was announced today by the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson.

The names of some medicinal substances will be changing over the coming months. Until now, there have been two different naming systems used in the UK to identify medicines. A British system: 'British Approved Names' (BANs), and an international system: 'recommended International Non-Proprietary Names' (rINNs). In some cases, the same active ingredient in a medicine could be known by two different names which could be confusing to doctors, pharmacists, nurses and patients.

Sir Liam Donaldson said:

"I welcome this initiative as it is important for patient safety that we have a consistent naming system for medicinal substances. It has been widely supported by stakeholders in the health service, and I hope that all those involved in prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines will make themselves familiar with the changes that are taking place."

Lord Philip Hunt, Chair of the National Patient Safety Agency, said:

"It is clear that the longer term benefits of a single naming system outweigh the disadvantages, however, it is vital that healthcare professionals do help to minimise the risks arising from the name changes. This will mean ensuring colleagues are kept informed and encouraging patients to ask if they do not recognise the name of their medicine."

The changeover programme formally began on 1 December, and will continue for a number of months while product literature on medicines and software systems used by doctors and pharmacists are updated.

In most cases the name of medicines will be either unchanged or only modified very slightly. However, there are some medicines where a name change is more significant. Healthcare professionals will be fully briefed to enable them to advise patients who are concerned about a name change on their medicine.

Notes to editor

1. The UK currently uses its own naming system - British Approved Names (BANs) - for medicinal substances. There is, however, a naming system co-ordinated by the World Health Organisation - recommended International Non-Proprietary Names (rINNs) - which is used widely internationally, including by other EU Member States. In many cases, the BAN and the rINN are either identical or similar. However, in other cases, medicinal substances have two names which are different (e.g. BAN - bendrofluazide; rINN - bendroflumethiazide). Given the availability of imports on the UK market using the international names, in these instances, there is considerable scope for medication errors.

2. Use of international names for medicinal substances is a requirement under European Community law, Title V of Directive 2001/83/EC (Title V extends to requirements for packaging and leaflets), which is incorporated into UK law in the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations Etc) Regulations 1994.

3. The move to consistent use of rINNs is being made on the recommendation of the Medicines Commission, an independent advisory body that provides the Government with expert advice on medicines. On the advice of the Commission, exceptions are being made for adrenaline (rINN - epinephrine) and noradrenaline (rINN - norepinephrine), where the BANs are being retained. This reflects widespread familiarity with the BANs on the part of healthcare professionals and the wide usage of these substances in emergency medicine.

4. A comprehensive communication programme is being co-ordinated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and supported by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). The MHRA consulted widely with interest groups, including healthcare professionals, the Royal Colleges, retail pharmacists, and providers of medicines information and medical software.

5. Prescribers and dispensers are asked, where BANs and rINNs differ, to have completed the changeover to rINNs by 30 June 2004. This date should provide sufficient time for medical software systems to be updated and healthcare professionals to become familiar with the new names.

6. The MHRA is an Executive Agency of the Department of Health responsible for protecting and promoting public health and patient safety by ensuring that medicines, healthcare products and medical equipment meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, performance and effectiveness, and are used safely.

7. The Chief Medical Officer, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer will write shortly to all prescribers, dispensers and other relevant professionals to raise their awareness of the initiative. Similar letters will also be sent by their counterparts to professionals in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This information, together with other planned communication materials, will ensure healthcare professionals are sufficiently briefed to provide advice to patients who are concerned that their medicine is affected. Patients can also contact NHS Direct for advice.

8. Information is also available on the MHRA website.

 

Notes to Editor