If the names used for dosage forms in pharmacopoeias and professional literature are examined, changes are found which are not always connected with extended knowledge about preparations, or the development of new variants of the dosage form. The same finding holds true for their classification into systematic groups. The problem has become particularly topical within the framework of international co-operation. The objective of the present paper is to inform about the steps aiming at standardisation of their nomenclature at least in Europe.

        Key words: dosage form – nomenclature – standardisation