March 8, 2010 – A new U.S. source for the positron emission tomography (PET) agent F18 sodium fluoride is now offered through PETNET Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc. The company is prepared to distribute the medical isotope on a national basis through its network of 47 PET radiopharmacies in the U.S.
In support of the Feb. 26 CMS memorandum to allow for coverage with evidence development (CED) of F18 PET imaging to identify bone metastases of cancer to inform the initial anti-tumor treatment strategy or to guide subsequent anti-tumor treatment strategy after the completion of initial treatment, PETNET is prepared to distribute F18 as the demand increases.
F18 is an FDA-approved imaging agent and is used in the detection of bone metastases. CMS reimbursement support of the imaging agent could provide the medical community with alternatives to Tc-99m-labeled diphosphonate agents, in particular, during the ongoing global shortage of Mo-99/Tc-99m generators. It also leverages Siemens’ biomarker technology and PETNET Solutions as the industry’s largest network of PET biomarker production facilities.
For more information: www.siemens.com/healthcare