What term describes the scientific name that describes a drug's chemical structure?

• A. Generic Name
• B. Official Name
• C. Chemical Name
• D. Trade Name

Answer: (C)

The chemical name is the term that describes a drug’s chemical structure. It is typically the systematic name that conveys exactly how the molecule is built, including its functional groups and arrangement. For example, acetylsalicylic acid has a chemical name like 2-acetyloxybenzoic acid, which spells out its structure. In contrast, the generic (nonproprietary) name identifies the substance without detailing its arrangement, the trade name is the brand or marketing name, and the official name is a regulatory designation not primarily used to describe chemical structure.