The FDA has implemented a policy requiring distinguishable suffixes as part of the nonproprietary name of biologic medicines.¹

For reference biologics, the FDA recommends using a “core name” that is designated by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention with a 4-letter suffix. For a biosimilar, the core name will be the same as the reference biologic, but with a different 4-letter suffix.¹

This policy is designed to:¹
1. Help accurately track adverse events;
2. Facilitate appropriate targeting of remedial action, eg, to a specific product vs a whole class;
3. Minimize risk of inadvertent substitution; and
4. Promote accurate identification of products by pharmacists and providers.