Trade names or approved names. Part IV. The solution. How should we prescribe?

Approved names, though often bulky, are preferable on balance to brand names because they identify drugs precisely by compound, often revealing derivation and class of action as well. Brand names at present have the advantage of identifying a preparation. This affirms bio-availability, if that is known, and safeguards the consumer's legal position. But both advantages are against drug defects. It should therefore be hoped that they will become obsolete through pharmaceutical progress, and so do not constitute a lasting reason to confound prescribing accuracy with financial expediency.