What is the term for the official nonproprietary name assigned by the manufacturer with the approval of the USAN council?

• A. Generic Name
• B. Brand Name
• C. Chemical Name
• D. Trade Name

Answer: (A)

The generic name is the official nonproprietary name approved by the USAN Council. It identifies the active drug in a standardized way that isn’t tied to any single manufacturer, making it the universally used label in prescriptions, labeling, and medical references. For example, acetaminophen is the generic name, while Tylenol is a brand name associated with a specific company. The chemical name would describe the exact chemical structure, and trade or brand names are the proprietary names given by manufacturers.