Last updated: April 23, 2026
Who Supplies Ethiodized Oil?
Ethiodized oil is a branded, radio-opaque, iodinated poppy-seed oil used for procedures such as hysterosalpingography and other contrast applications. In practice, the market typically sources it from a limited set of manufacturers that produce or supply iodinated poppy seed oil formulations under established brands, including Lipiodol (and related iodinated oil products).
Which companies supply ethiodized oil (iodinated poppy-seed oil) in the pharmaceutical supply chain?
The following manufacturers and brand-owners are the core suppliers historically associated with ethiodized oil products used clinically:
| Supplier / Manufacturer |
Common brand association in markets |
Product type |
| Guerbet |
Lipiodol |
Iodinated poppy-seed oil (ethiodized oil) |
| Laboratoires Guerbet (Guerbet group) |
Lipiodol (regional supply) |
Iodinated poppy-seed oil (ethiodized oil) |
How the supply typically works (manufacturer vs. distributor)
Ethiodized oil is usually marketed under a named brand and distributed through national pharmaceutical distributors. The manufacturer produces the drug substance/formulation (iodinated poppy-seed oil), then supplies authorized wholesalers and regional distributors who sell to hospitals and specialty clinics.
In many jurisdictions, the “supplier” you interact with operationally is the authorized distributor/wholesaler, while the manufacturing supplier is the brand manufacturer above.
What do tenders and hospital purchasing documents use?
Hospitals and government buyers typically reference:
- Brand name (e.g., Lipiodol where applicable in that country)
- Strength and formulation (iodinated poppy-seed oil concentration and package size)
- Regulatory marketing authorization holder (which often matches the manufacturer/brand owner)
Purchasing specs often track to the marketing authorization and packaging configuration rather than “ethiodized oil” as a generic descriptor.
Is there a generic “ethiodized oil” supplier list?
There is no single, universal manufacturer list because “ethiodized oil” is commonly tied to specific iodinated poppy-seed oil brand products and their local regulatory approvals. The practical supplier set in most regions centers on Guerbet’s iodinated oil products (Lipiodol), with market availability determined by regional licensing and distribution arrangements.
Key Takeaways
- Guerbet (Lipiodol) is the principal pharmaceutical manufacturer supplier associated with ethiodized oil (iodinated poppy-seed oil) used clinically.
- Regional “suppliers” in tenders are typically authorized wholesalers/distributors, while the manufacturing supply chain is anchored by the brand manufacturer.
- Procurement documents usually list brand name, strength, and package size, which follow the local marketing authorization rather than an undifferentiated “ethiodized oil” commodity listing.
FAQs
1) Who makes the main ethiodized oil brand used clinically?
Guerbet manufactures the primary iodinated poppy-seed oil brand associated with ethiodized oil use, known as Lipiodol.
2) Are there multiple ethiodized oil manufacturers globally?
Market availability usually narrows to a limited set of iodinated poppy-seed oil products with established regulatory dossiers. In mainstream clinical supply chains, Guerbet is the central manufacturing source tied to Lipiodol.
3) Do hospital suppliers equal the drug manufacturer?
No. Hospitals often purchase through authorized distributors/wholesalers, while the manufacturer/marketing authorization holder is typically the brand owner.
4) What do procurement specifications reference for ethiodized oil?
They typically reference brand name, strength, formulation, and package size, aligned to the local marketing authorization.
5) Is “ethiodized oil” always called Lipiodol in procurement?
Not always; local labeling varies by jurisdiction. However, the core iodinated poppy-seed oil product used clinically is most commonly associated with Lipiodol.
References (APA)
- Guerbet. (n.d.). Lipiodol (iodized oil) product information and regulatory documentation (company materials). https://www.guerbet.com/
