PHARMACOLOGY
CHAPTER 1
OBJECTIVES
Drug Definitions, Standards, and Information Sources
1. Differentiate between the chemical, generic, and brand names of drugs.
Chemical Name:Most meaningful to the chemist
Chemists understand the exact chemical constitution of the drug and the exact
placement of its atoms or molecular groupings.
Generic name: Important to know because formularies use them; not capitalized
Official name: Listed by FDA
Brand or trademark: Registered by manufacturer; capitalized
2. Identify the various methods used to classify drugs.
Body system classification (e.g., cardiovascular, gastrointestinal)
Therapeutic use or clinical indications (e.g., antacids, antibiotics)
Physiologic or chemical action (e.g., anticholinergics, calcium channel
blockers)
Further Classifications
Prescription: Requires an order by a health professional licensed to prescribe
drugs.
Nonprescription: Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs sold without a prescription
Illegal or recreational drugs: Used for non therapeutic purposes; obtained
illegally
Biosimilar: Biologic product that is close in structure/function to an existing
approved biologic product
3. Identify sources of drug information available for healthcare providers.
Official source for American drug standards
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP)/National Formulary (NF)
USP Dictionary of USAN and International Drug Names
4. Cite sources of credible drug information on the internet.
Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) ,
Lexicomp, ePocrates, DailyMed
5. Discuss the difference between prescription and nonprescription drugs.
Prescription: Requires an order by a health professional licensed to prescribe
drugs.
Nonprescription: Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs old without a prescription
6. Describe the process of developing and bringing new drugs to market.
Rules and regulations evolved by FDA divide into four stages:
● Preclinical research and development: Average time is 18 months
● Clinical research and development: May require 2 to 10 years; average is
5 years
● New Drug Application (NDA) review: Average time is 17 months
● Postmarketing surveillance
7. Differentiate between the Canadian chemical names and the proper name of a
drug.
Official drug name: Any drug described specifically in the Food and Drug
Regulations; there are some dissimilarities in brand names between Canada and
the U.S.
Chemical name: Most meaningful to chemist
Proper name: Nonproprietary or generic name used to describe an official drug
in Canada Brand name