Drug names - A random choice or a placebo effect

Authors

  • Ana Macedo Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Pharmacology PhD program. Bellaterra (Spain).
  • Inês Moital KeyPoint, Consultoria Científica. Lisboa (Portugal).
  • M João Santos Serviço de Pediatria. Hospital Fernando da Fonseca. Amadora (Portugal)
  • Sofia Nunes Department of Experimental and Health Sciences. Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Barcelona (Spain).
  • Josep-E. Baños Unit of Pharmacology. Institut Municipal d’Investigació Mèdica.Barcelona (Spain).
  • Magí Farré Unit of Pharmacology. Institut Municipal d’Investigació Mèdica.Barcelona (Spain).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v23i1.10324

Keywords:

Drugs, Placebo effect, Brand names, Ethics

Abstract

Introduction: The choice of a drug trade name is not a naïve choice, several parameters rules theattribution of the new drugs names. Brand names can raise important ethical issues. Objectives: This study had as main objective to analyze the Portuguese market drugs trade names. Methodology: All the drugs registered on the Therapeutic National Index were analysed, correspondingto 1.315 drugs trade names, belonging to 12 therapeutic groups. Results: In general, 26% of the drugs names were classified names attributed in agreement withthe active substance chemical name; in 26% of the cases, the name was based on the drugs indicationsor action, being this classification type associated with the chemical name in 4% andwith the name of the producing laboratory in 1%. Forty per cent of the analyzed drugs had namesconsidered opaque. The type of attributed name varied according with the therapeutic group. Discussion and Conclusions: It is possible to affirm that a high percentage of the Portuguese drugshave trade names that evoke some suggestion type, being this suggestion direct to the final consumer,to the health professionals or just an assertive type of information.

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Published

2007-01-01

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 1 (2007): Revista Portuguesa de Clínica Geral

Section

Brief Article

License

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How to Cite

Drug names - A random choice or a placebo effect. (2007). Portuguese Journal of Family Medicine and General Practice, 23(1), 57-61. https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v23i1.10324