The first National Gastroenterology Symposium with international participation, organized by Pontus Pharma, demonstrated that patients suffering from gastrointestinal issues and diseases are in excellent hands with local experts. Leading specialists gathered to exchange knowledge, opinions and experiences about innovative gastro therapies on the market, such as itopride and rabeprazole. From September 8th to 10th, the academic atmosphere was further enhanced by the Mediterranean surroundings of the Olympia and Olympia Sky hotels in Vodice.
“Patients deserve personalized care and an approach to treating their issues. We are here to make that possible at all levels – you as experts to whom they turn for help and we as creators and suppliers of previously inaccessible, high-quality, effective and advanced medications and other medical products. Our daily experience shows how gastrointestinal issues are still a taboo subject in our region. Together, we are working and will continue to work, to change this perception and to provide ongoing education about the importance of prevention, early detection and targeted treatment of all diseases“, said Igor Haralović, the director and founder of Pontus Pharma, addressing the attendees.
The lecture series was opened by Dr Goran Hauser with the topic “All Faces of Functional Dyspepsia,” followed by Dr Agata Ladić’s presentation on the “Safety and Efficacy of Itopride.” An interesting and useful continuation of the symposium’s introductory part came from Dr Predrag Jovanović’s lecture on the “Therapeutic Potential of Itopride from Clinical Practice,” while the first block was concluded by Dr Rosana Troskot-Perić, who discussed the “Recent Advances in the Treatment of Functional Disorders.”
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was the topic of a dynamic and comprehensive round table moderated by Dr Željko Puljiz. The panelists, Dr Damir Bonacin, Dr Neven Baršić, and Dr Nikola Sobočan shared their vast experience in treating this disease – from diagnosis to treatment. This was an excellent introduction to Dr Melanija Ražov Radas’s lecture on “Rabeprazole – The Fastest Among PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors).”
The final block was opened by Dr Ivana Mikolašević, who presented the “Local Effects of Butyrate and Hyaluronic Acid,” with the announcement of the upcoming clinical study on the use of sodium hyaluronate butyrate microenemas in the prevention of radiation proctitis at the Rijeka Clinical Hospital Center.
The main topic of the final lecture block was one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with Dr Željka Belošić Halle presenting “Butyrate in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.” The day-long series of lectures was closed by another panel discussion on “Improving the Quality of Life for IBS Patients,” where Dinko Ladić, Mislav Jelaković and Ivan Petrošević discussed the topic, moderated by Dr Mario Tadić.
After the final discussion and thanks to all the participants, there was free time for exchanging impressions and further strengthening business connections, which are a valued byproduct of every professional event organized by Pontus Pharma. In addition to importing and exclusively distributing high-quality and innovative products, the company is also working on its own product portfolio with a focus on gastroenterology, while simultaneously building partnerships with other companies, pharmacies, wholesalers, as well as healthcare institutions and professionals.