UNITED STATES ADOPTED NAME Meaning and
Definition
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The term "United States Adopted Name" (USAN) refers to the generic name given to a drug or an active substance by the United States Pharmacopeia Convention (USP). It is a standardized name that helps to identify and distinguish the pharmaceutical substance, allowing for ease of communication and understanding in the medical and healthcare fields.
The USAN is typically assigned to a drug or active ingredient prior to its commercial availability in the United States. The USP, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), evaluates and facilitates the assigning of USANs, following specific guidelines and criteria. The USAN Council, a body consisting of renowned scientists and experts, oversees this process and ensures consistency and clarity across different pharmaceutical substances.
The USAN is primarily used in scientific literature, research, and healthcare practices to provide an unambiguous and internationally recognized name for a given substance. It helps to reduce confusion caused by multiple trade or brand names for the same drug and facilitates global understanding and communication. Physicians, pharmacists, regulatory bodies, researchers, and healthcare professionals commonly refer to the USAN when discussing and prescribing medications, as it serves as a universally accepted identification for drugs and active substances.
Overall, the United States Adopted Name is a standardized, generic name given to a drug or active substance by the USP, enabling accurate and efficient communication and understanding within the medical and pharmaceutical community.
