A look at the role of Dr. Obidi's pharmacy in the evolution of the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in Iran

Dr. Obidi's pharmacy has entered the 80th year of its activity while it has changed the paradigm of treating diabetes, high blood pressure and gastrointestinal diseases in Iran in the past decades and in sync with the world.

In this article, we will review the role of Dr. Abidi's pharmacy in the evolution of the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in Iran. Innovative developments arising from Dr. Obidi's pharmaceutical commitment to improving the health of Iranians, which began 31 years ago with the production of Merazole® to control stomach acid, and after the unveiling of Ezonium® and Lanzo® in the 90s, reached Phorize® in 1404.

A look at the spread of gastrointestinal diseases in Iran

According to studies, the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in Iran is reported to be more than 43%. In other words, almost 2 out of every 5 Iranian adults suffer from gastric reflux. 1

38.5% of Iranian patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux suffer from erosive esophagitis, which is similar to the prevalence of this disease in Western countries. 2

Also, almost 50% of Iran's population is infected with Helicobacter pylori infection, and this disease is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections in the country. This means that 1 out of every 2 Iranians is infected with Helicobacter pylori. 3

Merazole (Merazole®); The first proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drug in Iran

In 1374, Dr. Obidi's pharmaceutical company took a fundamental step for the Iranian people to have access to modern drugs in the field of gastrointestinal diseases by producing and supplying the drug Omeprazole under the brand name Merazole (Merazole®) as the first drug in the category of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs.

By reducing acid production in the stomach, this medicine is used for reflux diseases, stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and reducing the possibility of stomach ulcers caused by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Despite the fact that more than 30 years have passed since the introduction of Merazole (Merazole®) as the first proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drug in Iran, this drug is still considered one of the most widely used drugs in this drug category.

Lanzo (Lanzo®); With the lowest amount of drug interactions

In 1392, Dr. Obidi's pharmaceutical company launched the drug Lansoprazole (Lansoprazole) from the group of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs under the brand name Lanzo (Lanzo®) to the Iranian drug market.

By reducing acid production in the stomach, Lanzo® is used for reflux diseases, stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and reducing the possibility of stomach ulcers caused by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Compared to Merazole® and Ezonium®, Lanzo® is less likely to interact with some medications. This is especially important in patients who take heart medications such as clopidogrel, because some stomach medications can affect how this medication works. For this reason, Lansoprazole can be a suitable option for some heart patients.

Ezonium (®Ezonium); Effectiveness, speed of effect and longer shelf life to control stomach acid

Following the evolution of the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in Iran, in 2013, Dr. Obidi's pharmaceutical company produced and supplied the drug Esomeprazole under the brand name Ezonium®.

By reducing acid production in the stomach, Ezonium® is used for reflux diseases, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, erosive esophagitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and reducing the possibility of gastric ulcer caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Ezonium® is actually an optimized form of omeprazole that controls stomach acid stronger and more stable, and its effect is less affected by the genetic differences of people in drug metabolism. For this reason, in some patients with severe reflux or inflammation of the esophagus, the use of this drug can be preferred.

Phorize®; Production of the first drug Vonoprazan in Iran after Japan and America

In 1404, after Japan and America, and for the first time in Iran, Dr. Obidi's pharmaceutical company produced and sold Vonoprazan under the brand name Phorize®.

Phorize (Phorize®) as Dr. Obidi's new pharmaceutical step in the control of gastric reflux and management of digestive diseases, with more stable effectiveness, faster improvement of symptoms and ease of use (without the need to fast), significantly increased the quality of life of patients.

By inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid through competition with potassium ions (PCABs), this drug reduces the annoying symptoms of reflux and repairs the damage of the esophageal mucosa. In addition, more effective help to treat Helicobacter pylori infection (Helicobacter pylori infection) along with antibiotics is one of the other benefits of using Phorize®.

Dr. Obidi's 30 years of pharmaceutical concern to change the paradigm of treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in Iran

Dr. Obidi's pharmaceutical company, continuing the 80-year path to improve the health of Iranians, revolutionized the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in Iran more than 30 years ago with the production and supply of Merazole®. A development that continued with the production of Ezonium®, Lanzo® and Phorize® drugs and provided doctors and patients with a complete portfolio of digestive disease drugs. Currently, in the 80th year of Dr. Obedi's pharmacy, more than 10 million people are using Dr. Obedi's pharmaceutical products in 14 treatment areas.

Karimian, M., Nourmohammadi, H., Salamati, M. et al. Epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Gastroenterol 20, 297 (2020).

Sharifi A, Dowlatshahi S, Moradi Tabriz H, et al. The Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Correlates of Erosive Esophagitis and Barrett's Esophagus in Iranian Patients with Reflux Symptoms. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2014; 2014:696294.

Moosazadeh M, Lankarani KB, Afshari M. Meta-analysis of the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among children and adults of Iran. Int J Prev Med. 2016 1; 7:48.