After being approved by WHO, the drug is assigned an international nonproprietary name. The USAN Council adheres to a list of established guidelines in name selection. The most important criterion considered when issuing a generic name is the usefulness of that name to health care providers. The USAN Council will not approve a generic name that is too similar to other generic or brand names. For example, asthma drugs commonly have an ast stem.
Federal law mandates the use of generic names in advertising and on labels and brochures.
According to Cohen, the generic name is essential to pharmacists and other health care professionals, primarily because of the stem. Although the generic name is in the public domain, the brand name is owned solely by the manufacturer and can be created as soon as the generic name has been approved. Unlike generic names, which are created by the manufacturer in conjunction with the USAN Council, choice of the brand name is motivated by marketing considerations. However, the FDA must approve the name. Although the USAN Council is actively involved in name selection, the FDA has authority over drug labeling and is essentially responsible for approving or disapproving the name of the drug.