For those who constantly experience discomfort in the stomach due to heartburn (acid indigestion), a relief may have come with the introduction of Maalox range of products into Nigerian market.
A guest speaker at the launch of the product Dr. Funmilayo Lesi of the department of medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), while speaking on the topic: Acid-Peptic Disorder’ noted that acid is produced in the stomach to cause food digestion, but said gastric acid is corrosive and can cause injury in the stomach.
She however said Maalox, the new drug is formulated, tested, trusted and one of the most popular antacid brands in the world for almost 60, first launched in France in 1949 and now available in over 50 countries including Nigeria to protect stomach from heartburn.
“Maalox is used for the relief of heartburn (acid indigestion), excess gas and wind (flatulence). In most countries including Nigeria Maalox is available as non-prescription drug,’’ she noted.
In another paper by Managing Director Pinecrest Healthcare Limited, Mr. Chijioke Onyia, said Maalox range includes the following: Maalox Tablet x 10’s, Maalox Plus Tablet 10’s, Maalox Suspension 150ml, and Maalox Plus Suspension 150ml and already available for invoicing from August, 2010.
Talking about acid related diseases, he said they are caused by imbalance of the three cells of the gastric gland and their secretions and most common ones include: hyperacidity (Common terms for overproduction of HCl by the parietal cells), indigestion, sour stomach, heartburn, acid stomach and biting stomach amongst others.
Maalox range of products is registered in Nigeria by NAFDAC with Sanofi-Aventis Nigeria, being the market authorization holder. The products are distributed by CHI Pharmaceuticals Ltd.