The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has proposed limiting the use of the same trade name for medications containing different active ingredients. The goal of this initiative is to enhance patient safety, as such a practice can mislead consumers and cause confusion regarding the therapeutic purpose of the drugs.
Reasons for the Regulator's Proposal
The proposal was put forward following submissions indicating that some pharmaceutical companies market drugs with different active pharmaceutical ingredients under a single established brand. The issue was reviewed by the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC), which recommended broader consultations with stakeholders before making a final decision.
Experts' Views on Branding
According to the CDSCO notification, the DCC noted that using one brand for medicines with different components can confuse consumers and create misunderstanding about their therapeutic application. The regulator posted the committee's recommendations on its website and invited industry representatives, healthcare professionals, and other interested parties to discuss the matter.
Dr. Niraj Nishal, Professor at the Department of Medicine, AIIMS, emphasized that the CDSCO consultation is an important measure for ensuring patient safety. He noted that while general branding helps companies gain recognition, the greatest concern is the use of the same primary brand for drugs with different active substances or fixed combinations, as this can lead to errors in prescribing, dispensing, and administering medication.
Nishal added that general branding is acceptable when products contain the same active component, such as in different forms or dosages, but extending one parent brand to unrelated medications increases the risk of medication errors.
Requirements for Drug Naming
Dr. Rommel Tikku, Director of Internal Medicine at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, stated that the trade name should denote a specific drug, not an entire group of unrelated medicines. He warned that using one parent brand for drugs with different active ingredients can disorient both patients and medical specialists, increasing the likelihood of medical errors. He also advised that any regulatory changes should be implemented gradually after sufficient consultation with stakeholders.
If this proposal is adopted, a number of pharmaceutical companies may be forced to revise their branding strategies for products sold in different therapeutic categories under a common parent brand.
