International Nonproprietary Name (INN)
Unique generic name assigned by WHO to each active pharmaceutical substance, used in tariff classification.
The International Nonproprietary Name (INN) is a unique generic name assigned by the World Health Organization (WHO) to each active pharmaceutical substance. This standardised naming system is essential for both public health and tariff classification of pharmaceutical products.
In the customs context, the WCO maintains an INN List identifying substances benefiting from specific tariff classification in the HS. Compounds on this list are classified under dedicated subheadings, often with reduced or zero customs duties under the Pharmaceutical Agreement.
Each INN is built using stems that identify the therapeutic or pharmacological group. For example, the suffix "-mab" designates monoclonal antibodies, "-vir" antivirals, "-statin" HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. These stems facilitate identification and classification of new substances.
The correspondence between INNs and tariff classification is regularly updated to integrate new pharmaceutical substances. The WCO and WHO collaborate to maintain this correspondence, facilitating international trade in medicines while ensuring precise statistical monitoring of pharmaceutical product flows.