ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S23

Invited Speaker

ESTRO 2024

3311

Challenges in global provision of radiopharmaceuticals for imaging and treatment

Diana Paez

International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Vienna, Austria

Abstract:

Radiopharmaceuticals play a fundamental role in both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic interventions, revolutionizing modern medicine by offering precise insights into disease pathology and targeted treatment options. However, the global provision of radiopharmaceuticals faces multifaceted challenges that hinder accessibility. Addressing these challenges is pivotal for ensuring equitable healthcare access worldwide. The global provision of radiopharmaceuticals is hampered by a myriad of challenges spanning production, supply chain logistics, regulatory compliance, cost, reimbursement, research, safety, and education. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from stakeholders across the healthcare spectrum, including governments, regulatory agencies, UN organizations, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and healthcare providers.

Main challenges:

1. Limited production capacity for radiopharmaceuticals arises due to specialized infrastructure and expertise, resulting in a scarcity of facilities capable of production. This scarcity increases the risk of shortages, especially for isotopes with short half-lives, requiring strategic planning to balance supply and demand. 2. Supply chain logistics for radiopharmaceuticals present significant challenges, highlighted during the COVID 19 crisis. These compounds require rigorous transportation and storage due to their half-lives and radioactive