FDA renewal ensures federal committee oversees medical imaging drug safety until 2023

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is renewing a charter to ensure the Medical Imaging Drugs Advisory Committee can continue recommending best practices for the field, the agency announced Thursday.

As part of the federal group, 12 voting members review and evaluate data concerning the safety and effectiveness of drugs for use in radiopharmaceuticals, contrast media and therapeutics intended for diagnostic radiology exams. The core members may include one individual with consumer interests and one non-voting member with similar ties.

The individuals serve overlapping terms of up to four years and make appropriate recommendations to the FDA Commissioner, currently Janet Woodcock, MD, who was named acting commissioner in January.

“The commissioner has determined that it is in the public interest to renew the Medical Imaging Drugs Advisory Committee for an additional two years beyond the charter expiration date,” the FDA said in its announcement.

This notice extends the committee’s authority until May 18, 2023.

Read the entire announcement here.

""

Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.