The government is planning to increase scrutiny on drug companies’ branding strategies to address the issue of similar-sounding and look-alike medication names, according to a report by the Economic Times. This initiative aims to enhance patient safety and reduce the risks associated with look-alike sound-alike (LASA) drugs.
The Centre is set to recognize only the original brand names approved by the regulator, prohibiting the marketing of any subsequent brands with identical or similar names and appearances. Drug manufacturers will soon be required to upload their product formulations and brand names on the government’s portal, as per the report.
The Risks of LASA Drugs
A government source highlighted the dangers posed by drugs sold under identical brand names but under entirely different conditions. Confusion at the pharmacy between these medications can lead to serious patient consequences.
To address this issue, the government has suggested making the database of all products with brand names on the Sugam portal publicly accessible. This move aims to provide transparency and reduce the risks associated with identical brand names in the marketplace.
Examples of Confusing Drug Names
India has long struggled with different drugs being manufactured and marketed under the same brand name. Notable examples include:
- ‘Olvance’: The brand name for the antihypertensive drug ‘olmesartan’
- ‘Oleanz’: A brand for the antipsychotic drug ‘olanzapine’
- ‘IMOX’: Amoxicillin tablets for humans
- ‘INIMOX’: A combination of amoxicillin and cloxacillin as an injection for veterinary use
Regulatory Actions and Recommendations
In January, the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, India’s top drug advisory body, discussed the issue of same brand names (including those that look or sound alike) for different categories of products. They recommended prohibiting the manufacturing and marketing of different drugs with the same brand name to ensure patient safety.
The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) has subsequently written to the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks, urging increased monitoring and surveillance of trademarks associated with pharmaceutical products to identify and address instances of similarity or confusion.
The DGHS letter emphasized the critical nature of the issue, stating, “Various drugs, including those with soundalike and lookalike names, are being produced and distributed under identical or similar trademarks. This situation not only creates confusion among healthcare professionals and patients but also increases the likelihood of medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and other serious health consequences.”
Moving Forward
The government’s proactive steps to tackle the problem of similar-sounding and look-alike drug brands highlight the importance of patient safety and the need for stringent regulatory measures. By making the database publicly accessible and requiring detailed documentation from drug manufacturers, the Centre aims to mitigate the risks associated with LASA drugs and ensure a safer healthcare environment.
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