International non-proprietary names for pharmaceutical substances (INNs)

There is an internationally agreed list of common or standard names for pharmaceuticals and related substances. These are known as INNs.

Each INN is a unique name that is globally recognised and is public property. This means it cannot be registered as a trade mark. We will object to your application to register such a mark and inform you that it is a 'reserved word'.

The World Health Organisation decides INN names. You can find a list of the names, and more information, on their web-site.

The World Health Organisation also publishes lists of:

• 'Recommended International Non-proprietary Names for Pharmaceutical Substances'
• 'Proposed International Non-proprietary Names for Pharmaceutical Substances'

If you want to get copies of the lists so that you can either make informal comment or raise an objection, you should contact:

Mr R B Trigg,
GeName Consulting,
126 The Drive,
Rickmansworth,
Hertfordshire,
WD3 4DP.

Telephone: +44 (0)1923 774293
E-mail: gename@tiscali.co.uk  /  roger.trigg@tiscali.co.uk