RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Global Issues of Radiopharmaceutical Access and Availability: a Nuclear Medicine Global Initiative Project
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine
JO J Nucl Med
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP jnumed.120.247197
DO 10.2967/jnumed.120.247197
A1 Cathy S Cutler
A1 Elizabeth A Bailey
A1 Vijay Kumar
A1 Sally W Schwarz
A1 Henry Hee-Seung Bom
A1 Jun Hatazawa
A1 Diana Paez
A1 Pilar Orellana
A1 Lizette Louw
A1 Fernando Mut
A1 Hiroki Kato
A1 Arturo Chiti
A1 Savvas Frangos
A1 Frederic H Fahey
A1 Gary Dillehay
A1 Seoung Jun Oh
A1 Dong Soo Lee
A1 Sze Ting Lee
A1 Rodolfo Nunez-Miller
A1 Guru Pad Bandopadhyaya
A1 Prasanta Pradhan
A1 Andrew M Scott
YR 2020
UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/early/2020/07/09/jnumed.120.247197.abstract
AB The Nuclear Medicine Global Initiative (NMGI) was formed in 2012 by 13 international organizations to promote human health by advancing the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging by supporting the practice and application of nuclear medicine. The first project focused on standardization of administered activities in pediatric nuclear medicine and resulted in two manuscripts. For its second project the NMGI chose to explore issues impacting on access and availability of radiopharmaceuticals around the world. Methods: Information was obtained by survey responses from 35 countries on available radioisotopes, radiopharmaceuticals and kits for diagnostic and therapeutic use. Issues impacting on access and availability of radiopharmaceuticals in individual countries were also identified. Results: Detailed information on radiopharmaceuticals utilized in each country, and sources of supply, was evaluated. Responses highlighted problems in access particularly due to the reliance on a sole provider, regulatory issues and reimbursement, as well as issues of facilities and workforce particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Conclusion: Strategies to address access and availability of radiopharmaceuticals are outlined, to enable timely and equitable patient access to nuclear medicine procedures worldwide. In the face of disruptions to global supply chains by the COVID-19 outbreak, renewed focus on ensuring reliable supply of radiopharmaceuticals is a major priority for nuclear medicine practice globally.