YEREVAN(Noyan Tapan)– The inventor of the "Gamibazin" gum–Armenian scientist Vahram Gabzimalian is trying to renew the production of this gum in Armenia. On the one hand–the production of "Gamibazin" is essential for people who want to give up smoking–and on the other hand–the high competitiveness of the gum in international markets raises hopes for lucrative prospects for production with possible involvement of foreign investmen’s.
The production of the "Gamibazin" chewing gum–which was developed in the "Aragil" research-and-production association of the Ministry of Food Industry of Armenia in 1983–(investigations of the medical aspect of the problem were conducted by Professor Talapin from Belarus)–was set up in the Goris tobacco-fermentation factory. However–since 1993 the production of "Gamibazin" was suspended in connection with the reorganization of the former Soviet Union’s and Armenia’s Ministries of Food Industries.
At one time a number of foreign firms showed interest in this gum. The Japanese "Spark Industry" commercial company expressed a willingness to obtain a license for producing the gum but was denied. The Spanish "Agrolimen" firm suggested setting up a joint production with the Goris tobacco-fermentation factory. The Ministries of Health of Poland–Czechoslovakia–Romania–Bulgaria–Cuba and Iceland asked for samples for clinical testing and registration of the gum. Large Russian firms are also enthusiastic about this new gum.
According to Gabzimalian–increased interest in the gum is due to the fact that at present–foreign nicotine gums don’t have a "curative" effect as they contain nicotine in one form or another. When using these foreign gums–a smoker gets rid of the effect of other harmful substances–in particular–carcinogenic substances–but he remains addicted to smoking. But "Gamibazin" contains an effective substance (its composition is secret) which helps a natural bodily organism get rid of the nicotine and unlike foreign gums–does not result in addiction.
At present–attempts have been made to renew the production of "Gamibazin" in the Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry (IFOC) of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. According to the inventor–the IFOC is interested in this gum because other medicines can be prepared in the form of a chewing gum and as a result–can be more effective.