FDA: Shortfall of Ceretec technetium kit

Kathy Mahdoubi | | Health Imaging | Molecular Imaging

The FDA announced July 14 that a shortage of Technetium Tc99m Exametazime Injection, also known as the Ceretec Kit (GE Healthcare, Medi-Physics), is in effect and expected to continue until the first week of August.

The drug is used in conjunction with scintigraphy for the detection of altered cerebral perfusion in the case of stroke. The shortfall is reportedly due to delayed shipping.

To be more specific, the stabilized Ceretec product packaged with methylene blue is currently not available, but the Ceretec product without the stabilizer is available, according to the FDA alert and an announcement from the Society of Nuclear Medicine. The FDA expects supply to return to normal Aug. 4.

Kathy Mahdoubi

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