The preparation is advertised as “the old reliable hematinic” which is “indicated in all forms of anemia, where both red and white cells are low.” It is for hypodermic or intramuscular administration. The product is inadmissible to New and Nonofficial Remedies because:
1. It does not contain ferrous citrate as claimed. Instead the iron is in the ferric condition, apparently in the form of the unofficial and unstandardized “iron citrate green” for which there is no evidence of superiority over the official iron and ammonium citrate.[134]
2. Its name gives no information on the form in which the iron, the arsenic and the phosphorus occur therein. The term “arsenic” does not indicate whether the mild cacodylate or the potent arsenous oxid is being administered nor does the term “phosphorus” tell the physician that he is administering the practically inert sodium glycerophosphate.[135]—(From The Journal A. M. A., Nov. 13, 1920.)
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.)