Naming Pharma Brands
As the first public face of the brand, the brand name is the brand’s first advertisement. This is one element of the branding that will endure throughout its lifecycle and doesn’t have the liberty to change, unlike other branding elements of the branding mix.
The naming of the brand is therefore a strategic component of the brand’s identity and value rather than a mere sprint in the registration race. Not that one wants to wash down the complexity of the registration process, but at times this all Herculean task becomes the only pivot around which brand naming balances itself.
Strongest brands are built on the foundation of
relevance, distinctiveness and sustainability.
BRAND NOMENCLATURE PHILOSOPHIES
I. RELEVANCE
Driving Force:
1. Generics
Here the naming is relevant to the molecular name. High difficulty levels at registration
Mox (Ranbaxy) Brand of Amoxycillin
Taxim (Alkem) Brand of Cefotaxime
Samy (Wockhardt) Brand of S adenosine methyl
Mebex (Cipla) Brand of Mebendazole
2. Therapy
Here the naming is relevant to the therapeutic category, brand belongs to. Also high difficulty levels at registration
Betaloc – Astra Brand of B Blocker Metoprolol
Asthalin – Cipla For asthmatics – Salbutamol
Candid – Glenmark For Candidiasis – Antifungal range
Rabipur – Novartis Vaccines Rabies vaccination
ABDEC Drops – Pfizer Multivitamin drops
II. Distinctiveness
Driving Force:
1. Benefit
Benefit-led names communicate to both presciber as well patient target groups. They are reflective of what the product promises to do.
C-Pink – Hematinic brand of Wanbury
Revital – Multivitmain, antioxidant from Ranbaxy
Restyl – Anxiolytic from Cipla
Rockbon – Calcium from Piramal
2. Abstract
Here the naming is completely unrelated to the molecule or the category. Poular examples are
Augmentin
Voveran
Tarivid
Benadryl
Champix
Viagra
3. Z Brigade
The belief that names starting with A or Z can break the clutter and be distinctive. Popular examples are
Zintac – GSK – Ranitidine
Zifi – FDC – Cefixime
Zenflox – Mankind – Ofloxacin
III. Sustainability
Driving Force:
1. Corporate Heritage
Some brands take equity from the parent brand to make themselves visible. This helps applies especially if there’s a sustainable pipeline
Manforce – Sildenafil from Mankind
Amlokind – Amlodipine from Mankind
Wockadine – Antispetic from Wockhardt
Ciplox – Ciprofloxacin from Cipla
The brand name cannot exist in isolation, it needs to build salience to to the overall personality of the brand. The use of colours, fonts and graphics add life and personality to the name and increase its salience to the intended target group.
The criteria for selection of all the naming elements cannot be that of personal likes or dislikes, but those that will make the brand
Relevant to target groups
Memorable
Sustainable – that which will carry its own weight and that of its future extensions
Non offensive
Phonetically pleasant
And of course good luck with the regulatories!
Founder & Director Brandcare Healthcare
Brandcare Healthcare Communications is a leading healthcare advertising agency based out of Mumbai, Over the last decade we have helped companies and brands traverse the changing pharma landscape and emerge as category leaders.