In 2022, the top three most advertised drugs on US TV were: Rinvoq, Dupixent and Skyrizi. Which got me thinking about how pharmaceutical companies come up with names for new drugs, so I asked ChatGPT.

ChatGPT: coming up with names for new drugs is quite a process! Pharmaceutical companies usually start by creating a unique, memorable name that’s easy to say and remember. They also have to make sure it doesn’t sound too similar to existing drug names, to avoid confusion.

Next, they run the name through various linguistic and cultural checks. This is to ensure it doesn’t have any negative meanings or connotations in different languages and cultures.

Finally, the name goes through legal and regulatory review. This is to make sure it meets guidelines set by health authorities like the FDA in the U.S., and that it’s not already trademarked. It’s a blend of marketing, linguistics, and legal considerations.

ME: I see these in television commercials, I wonder about the people at the pharmaceutical company whose job it is to come up with these names, if they’re marketing people or if they’re scientists or some combination.

ChatGPT: That’s a good observation. The teams responsible for naming drugs often include a mix of professionals. They usually have marketing experts, who understand how to create a catchy and appealing name, and legal professionals, who ensure the name complies with regulatory requirements. There might also be linguists to check for any cultural or language issues.

Scientists might not be directly involved in the naming process, but their insights could be essential, especially if the drug has a specific mechanism of action or target that could inspire the name.

It’s a collaborative effort, combining creativity with practicality and regulatory compliance. It’s quite fascinating when you think about how much thought goes into a name that most of us just hear in passing! 

ME: It seems to me that most of them are almost unpronounceable and I wonder if that is just a function of running out of names or they don’t want them to be easily pronounceable for some reason.

ChatGPT: That’s an interesting point. The complexity of drug names often comes from a few factors. First, as more drugs get developed and named, companies have to get more creative to find unique names that haven’t been used yet. This can lead to more complex and less intuitive names.

Also, regulatory bodies like the FDA have strict rules to prevent names that sound or look too similar to existing ones, to avoid medication errors. This can also lead to more complicated names.

It’s not usually a goal to make names hard to pronounce. It’s more about finding a balance between being unique, adhering to legal and safety guidelines, and trying to make the name somewhat memorable or meaningful.

It’s a tricky situation – companies want a name that stands out, but they also have to navigate a lot of practical constraints. It makes for some really interesting word combinations, doesn’t it?