Trade Names
Recently, several of you have contacted me about the use of trade names. You’ve asked, “Does ACCME allow trade names to be used in speaker presentations and educational materials? Can an ineligible company be mentioned in an accredited CME activity?”
Thank you for your diligence. To clarify, a trade name is a promotional name, created by a pharmaceutical company for a drug it manufactures. A trade name is typically easier to say or spell than its generic counterpart and has been created for advertising purposes. ACCME recommends:
- You use generic names where possible. All medicines have an approved generic name. Generic names are widely accepted and not reserved for the exclusive use of a specific company.
- If you need to list a trade name for educational purposes, use multiple trade names.
We understand that a learner may be more likely to recognize a pharmaceutical product by its trade name. ACCME does not prohibit the use of trade names in the context of CME activities, but we ask that you provide a fair and balanced view for your learners. One of the easiest ways to do this is to list trade names from several companies. Other strategies you might take might include:
- Using the generic name at the same time as you use the trade name. For example, you could say “generic name (trade name X)” to provide more context for your learners.
- Using the trade name with the generic combination only once, and afterward, using the generic name only.
- Avoiding promotional language. Make sure that any mention of a trade name is factual and not accompanied by language that could be construed as promotional or suggestive of superiority.
ACCME similarly does not prohibit the use of company names—eligible or ineligible—in CME activities when there is educational value in doing so.
Stay tuned for more on trade names in our next Compliance Check! I’ll be addressing Standard 5 and the use of trade names and logos in instances of ancillary activities.
