Abstract

The internationally accepted abbreviation for gram used in all scientific journals is ‘g’, but the British Pharmacopoeia and the British National Formulary have for many years recommended that ‘G’ (internationally used to abbreviate Gauss) be used for writing prescriptions. This usage was introduced to prevent confusion between the handwritten abbreviations for grams and grains which occasionally led to serious overdosage. This month the use of grains and the other ‘imperial’ measures in dispensing and labelling finally ceased, and with it the need to write ‘G’ for gram. This Bulletin will from now on use ‘g’ for grams.