On Thursday, Dey 13th, Dr. Abidi Pharmaceuticals proudly hosted the milestone 50th gathering of the Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia (H&H) Academy. This prestigious scientific event was attended by 350 prominent physicians and influential Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) within the medical community.

Initiated by Dr. Abidi Pharmaceuticals and guided by the country’s leading medical experts, the H&H Academy orchestrates a series of scientific symposia aimed at empowering healthcare professionals and elevating clinical awareness regarding conditions associated with high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia.

To date, this comprehensive educational initiative has successfully trained over 20,000 physicians and nurses nationwide. Expanding its reach beyond Tehran and 8 major metropolitan hubs, the Academy has extended its footprint over the past year to encompass 20 smaller cities. The H&H Academy stands as one of Dr. Abidi Pharmaceuticals’ most vital Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments in medical education and public health enhancement.

Celebrating Fifty Continuous Educational Events

The 50th H&H Academy event commenced with opening remarks by renowned host Soroush Sehhat. Acknowledging Dr. Abidi Pharmaceuticals’ pivotal role in manufacturing life-saving medications, he stated, “Through relentless dedication, Dr. Abidi Pharmaceuticals has facilitated patient access to vital therapeutics, particularly in the realms of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. This represents a monumental leap forward in safeguarding public health.”

Bridging the “Awareness Gap”

Dr. Mojtaba Malek, Subspecialist in Adult Endocrinology and Metabolism and Full Professor at Iran University of Medical Sciences, addressed the critical issue of the Awareness Gap between patients and healthcare providers.

“Only 42% of patients suffering from hypertension are currently receiving treatment,” Dr. Malek noted. “A vast majority, including those already diagnosed with Cardiovascular Diseases, remain alarmingly unaware of the severe risks associated with high blood pressure and the absolute necessity of pharmacological management.”

He further emphasized the clinical value of home blood pressure monitoring: “Physician-patient dialogue and providing actionable feedback on at-home blood pressure readings significantly boost patient motivation to reach their target numbers. This approach effectively bridges the existing clinical gap and directly contributes to reducing cardiovascular mortality rates.” Dr. Malek reiterated that CVDs remain the leading cause of death globally. However, primary Risk Factors such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia are highly manageable using accessible and cost-effective medications—a foundational premise that drove the creation of the H&H Academy.

The Imperative of “Treatment Adherence”

Dr. Hassan Riahi, Cardiologist, initiated his presentation by acknowledging recent diagnostic and therapeutic advancements before pivoting to the critical challenge of Treatment Adherence.

Highlighting the magnitude of the issue, Dr. Riahi stated, “Only about 50% of hypertensive patients and 45% of those with dyslipidemia adhere to their prescribed medication regimens.” He warned that the statistics are even more dire for high-risk demographics: “The most vulnerable patients are those who have already experienced a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Yet, 55% of these individuals still neglect their prescribed medications. In lower-income nations, including Iran, the situation is critical—over 75% of patients fail to take recommended drugs, leading to a surge in preventable mortality.”

To combat this crisis, Dr. Riahi championed modern pharmacological innovations: “Single-Pill Combinations (SPCs) represent the most effective and crucial strategy for ensuring Treatment Adherence. For patients burdened with polypharmacy, transitioning to a single combined anti-hypertensive pill is the simplest yet most impactful intervention. Research shows that adherence drops by half when a patient’s regimen increases from 2 to 3 separate pills.” He concluded that SPCs not only ensure adherence but directly yield superior blood pressure control and enhanced patient survival rates.

Navigating New “Treatment Guidelines”

Dr. Reza Ghanavati, Cardiologist, provided a comprehensive comparative analysis of the 2017 US and 2024 European Treatment Guidelines for hypertension.

“Despite differences in their respective healthcare frameworks, both guidelines share a definitive consensus: patients presenting with blood pressure readings of 140/90 mmHg and above must be initiated on combination therapy,” Dr. Ghanavati explained. “For patients in the 130/80 mmHg range, evaluating the individual’s specific Risk Factors is the critical benchmark for initiating monotherapy.”

He emphasized that the safest physiological blood pressure is below 120/70 mmHg, and any readings above this threshold require meticulous clinical evaluation. Dr. Ghanavati concluded with an empowering message: even in resource-limited settings, simple, continuous therapeutic interventions yield profound reductions in cardiovascular morbidity.

Honoring Medical Excellence and Dr. Abidi’s Educational Vision

The concluding segment of the symposium was dedicated to honoring the esteemed medical faculty who have supported Dr. Abidi Pharmaceuticals in previous iterations of the Academy. Special recognition was awarded to 20 physicians who served on the scientific committees of past events. Furthermore, Cardiologist Dr. Hashem Sezavar presented commemorative plaques to Dr. Malek, Dr. Riahi, and Dr. Ghanavati for their invaluable scientific contributions.

Launched in 1400 (Iranian calendar), the H&H Academy represents a continuous, dedicated pathway for raising awareness and empowering the Iranian medical community, perfectly aligned with Dr. Abidi Pharmaceuticals’ core mission to elevate the nation’s health standards.