International Nonproprietary Name
International Nonproprietary Name
The International Nonproprietary Name (INN) (/ɪnˈtɜːrnæʃənəl nɒnprəˈpraɪətəri ˈneɪm/) is a system of unique, globally recognized names assigned to pharmaceutical substances, as established by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Etymology
The term "International Nonproprietary Name" originates from the WHO's aim to provide a universal, non-proprietary naming system for pharmaceutical substances. The term "nonproprietary" refers to the names not being subject to proprietary rights, allowing them to be freely used by anyone. The term "international" emphasizes the global use and acceptance of these names.
Related Terms
- Pharmaceutical substance: A substance used in the creation of pharmaceutical drugs.
- World Health Organization: The global health authority within the United Nations system.
- Pharmaceutical drug: A drug used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease.
- Proprietary rights: The rights of an owner to control the use of a certain piece of property.
Usage
The INN system is used globally to facilitate the safe prescription and dispensing of medicines. By providing a standard, universally recognized nomenclature, the system helps to prevent confusion which could lead to harmful medication errors.
See Also
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