[india-drug] Request for information on the average drugs (2)

["DIC Goa" <dicgoa@gmail.com>]

Request for information on the average drugs (2)
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We have noticed these days that when any change of composition takes place, the brand name is? modified" - a tiny "+" sign is put, or a tine "plus" is written, or a tiny word is written e.g. "F", or "AF", whatever, in front of the earlier existing name.

Doctors continue to write the old brand name (because most of them are not aware of the change), and chemists give the "modified" version.

At times the change in composition is minor - like some vitamins or minerals are added or removed, or it could be major - for e.g. a popular skin ointment, which contained betamethasone (and couple of other ingredients earlier), now contains "Beclomethasone (and the others)" - which is many time more potent. It is now a prescription drug, but continues to be used by public for cuts/wounds/rashes/itches/ringworm.... a one for all!
The brand name has an additional, tiny "RF" in front of it.

Raj Vaidya
Community Pharmacist
Goa