Siemens PETNET poised to up NaF production during shortage
PETNET Solutions, a fully owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions, has reported that it is prepared to increase production and availability of 18F Sodium Fluoride (NaF) to replace Technetium MDP bone scans, in light of recent shortage of molybdenum, which has caused a temporary shortage of 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals.
Since a radionuclide reactor in Petten, the Netherlands, halted production through November, additional reactors have been closed for maintenance, limiting the radioisotope supply in the EU. The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is analyzing the current shortage of radiopharmaceuticals in the European Union to develop potential solutions as well.
NaF PET has been shown to be both more accurate and more sensitive than planar imaging for localizing and characterizing both malignant and benign bone lesions than 99mTc-MDP scintigraphy either alone or in combination with SPECT, according to a study published in the Jan. 1 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Since a radionuclide reactor in Petten, the Netherlands, halted production through November, additional reactors have been closed for maintenance, limiting the radioisotope supply in the EU. The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is analyzing the current shortage of radiopharmaceuticals in the European Union to develop potential solutions as well.
NaF PET has been shown to be both more accurate and more sensitive than planar imaging for localizing and characterizing both malignant and benign bone lesions than 99mTc-MDP scintigraphy either alone or in combination with SPECT, according to a study published in the Jan. 1 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.