Pharmaceutical glossary — 34 common terms explained

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ATC: Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical — international 5-level classification system for medicines. The ATC code tells you instantly what a drug does (e.g. N02BE01 = paracetamol, N = central nervous system).
Ascorbic acid: Scientific name for vitamin C. An antioxidant, aids iron absorption, essential for the immune system.
Antibiotic: Drug that kills bacteria or stops them from multiplying. Does NOT work on viruses (colds, flu). Prescription-only.

Bioequivalence: Two drugs (an originator + a generic) are bioequivalent if they produce the same blood concentration after administration. Basis for pharmacy substitution.

CANAMED: Catalogul Naţional al Medicamentelor — official ANM list with the maximum retail price allowed for each prescription drug in Romania. Updated quarterly.
CIM: Medicine Identification Code — unique 7-digit code for each pack of a medicine in Romania. Printed on the packaging.
Reimbursement: The share of the price that CNAS (National Health Insurance) pays for you (typically 50%, 90% or 100% for specific chronic conditions). Applied at the counter on a reimbursed prescription.

INN (DCI): International Nonproprietary Name — the standard scientific name of an active substance (e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofen). Printed on the packaging next to the brand name.
Brand name: The name under which a manufacturer sells a drug (e.g. Nurofen is the brand name for ibuprofen). May vary between countries.

Excipient: An inactive substance in a drug (starch, lactose, sucrose). Relevant for people with allergies or lactose intolerance.

Pharmacokinetics: How a drug travels through the body — absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination. Determines dose and frequency.
Pharmacovigilance: Monitoring of adverse reactions after a drug reaches the market. You can report them to ANM via an online form or email.

Generic: Drug with the same active substance, dose and form as the originator, sold under a different brand after patent expiry. Bioequivalent, usually 30-70% cheaper.
GTIN: Global Trade Item Number — 13-digit barcode (formerly EAN-13). Uniquely identifies a product worldwide. Used to match prices across chains.

Immunisation: The process by which the immune system becomes resistant to a pathogen — either naturally (disease) or through vaccination.
Drug interaction: When two drugs influence each other — one may reduce the other’s effect or amplify toxicity. Always ask the pharmacist.

OTC (over-the-counter): Drugs dispensed without a prescription. Under pharmacist supervision but without a doctor’s script.

Metabolism: The process by which the liver breaks down a drug. Some people metabolise faster or slower — affects dosing.
MDD: Maximum Daily Dose. This is the ABSOLUTE limit — exceeding it can be toxic. Respect it strictly.

NAP: New Antibiotic Policy — strict rules on antibiotic prescribing to reduce bacterial resistance. Some antibiotics can only be dispensed with a recent prescription.

OTC: Over-The-Counter — drugs dispensed without a prescription (paracetamol, low-dose ibuprofen, vitamins, supplements). See them on HartaFarmacii.

Paracetamol: Common analgesic and antipyretic, the INN for Panadol, Efferalgan, Algocalmin-C. Adult MDD: 4g/24h. Liver-sensitive at high doses.
Patient leaflet: The paper slip inside the box. Contains indications, dose, adverse effects, interactions. Read it before first use.
Polypharmacy: When a patient takes 5+ drugs concurrently. Raises interaction risk. The pharmacist can flag issues.

Rx (prescription-only): Drug requiring a medical prescription. Antibiotics, opioids, psychotropics, many chronic meds. Prescription can be paper or electronic (SIPE).
Electronic prescription (SIPE): Prescription issued digitally, signed with the doctor’s certificate and sent into the CNAS system. Can be picked up at any pharmacy with your CNP.
Adverse reaction: An unwanted effect of a drug. Mild (nausea, drowsiness) or serious (severe allergy, liver damage). Report to the pharmacist or doctor.

Active substance: The chemical component that produces the therapeutic effect. Appears on the label as the INN.
Pharmaceutical substitution: Replacing the originator drug with a bioequivalent generic at the pharmacy. The pharmacist’s prerogative unless the doctor has ticked "non-substitutable".
SIPE: Electronic Prescription Information System — the CNAS platform through which doctors issue and pharmacies dispense digital prescriptions.

Half-life (t½): How long it takes for blood concentration of the drug to drop by half. Determines dosing frequency.

Shelf life: The date until which the drug retains its efficacy and safety. Do NOT use expired products.
Vehicle: Liquid excipient (water, alcohol, oil) or semi-solid (cream, ointment) in which the active substance is dissolved or suspended.

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