Brasília – Medical and regulatory stakeholders have raised concerns about a growing risk of radiopharmaceutical shortages in Brazil, following the end of the state monopoly on production and rising cost pressures.

During a recent public hearing at the House of Representatives’ Health Committee, experts highlighted that since the repeal of the state monopoly on radiopharmaceutical manufacturing in 2022, supply has decreased while prices have surged. The kit Sestamibi, used in myocardial perfusion scans, nearly doubled in price — from R$ 795 to R$ 1,565 over this period.

Regulatory and logistical challenges further compound the problem. Observers noted that Anvisa’s approval criteria and restrictive rules have discouraged private sector competition and constrained production, particularly for regional markets. Meanwhile, production is concentrated in aging facilities at IPEN, and transport logistics pose serious hurdles, with airlines often refusing to carry radiopharmaceuticals due to liability concerns.

If supply fails, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in nuclear medicine — spanning oncology, cardiology, neurology and thyroid disorders — could be severely impacted.

Source: Medicina SA

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