PARATHESIN NOT ADMITTED TO N. N. R.

Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry

The Council has authorized publication of the following report.

W. A. Puckner, Secretary.

The local anesthetic ethyl paramino­benzoate was first introduced as “Anesthesin” or “Anæsthesin.” Ethyl paramino­benzoate is not patented in the United States and it may be manufactured, therefore, by any firm which chooses to do so. In order that a common name by which to designate the drug might be available, the Council coined the name “Benzocaine,” as being short and easily remembered, but yet suggestive of its composition and character (“benzo” to indicate its derivation from benzoic acid and “caine” to indicate its cocaine-like properties). As the term “anesthesin” had become a common name for the drug, the Council recognized this as a synonym for benzocaine.

One of the accepted brands for benzocaine is “Anesthesin,” manufactured by the H. A. Metz Laboratories, Inc. (see New and Non­official Remedies, 1920, p. 33). However, on April 19, 1920, the Metz Laboratories requested that its product be recognized under the designation of “Parathesin.” As the use of one substance under several names causes confusion and retards rational therapeutics, the Council’s rules provide against the recognition of proprietary names for nonproprietary, established drugs. In view of this and because the legitimate interests of the manufacturer may be safeguarded by appending his name or initials to the common name, benzocaine or anesthesin, the Council voted not to recognize the designation “Parathesin.”—(From The Journal A. M. A., Nov. 13, 1920.)