PETNET to distribute 18F-NaF free of charge

PETNET Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions will use its U.S. network of 47 radiopharmacies to distribute 18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF) free of charge for a limited time period to alleviate the effects of the global molybdenum shortage.

Participants in the trial program will receive 18F-NaF for only a nominal delivery fee between March 22 and April 9, 2010. Interest in 18F-NaF is growing due to its ability to deliver noticeably better image quality than traditional planar bone scans, and to offer greater differentiation of benign versus malignant lesions, said the company.

The reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) supporting the 18F-NaF imaging agent could provide the medical community with alternatives to 99mTc labeled diphosphonate agents during the ongoing global shortage of Mo-99/Tc-99m generators, added PETNET.

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