SNMMI President Highlights Radiopharmaceutical Supply Strain Amid Rising Demand

Meeting the growing demand for radiopharmaceuticals is proving to be a formidable hurdle, according to Jean-Luc C. Urbain, M.D., Ph.D., the newly appointed president of the Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

In an interview during the recent SNMMI annual conference, Dr. Urbain addressed the implications of a newly expanded FDA approval for a radiopharmaceutical compound now authorized as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. The broader indication could drastically amplify demand.

“With the new approval, the need for doses may increase up to sixfold compared to 2024 estimates,” Dr. Urbain explained.

But this anticipated surge in usage has spotlighted an urgent issue: how to match supply and infrastructure to the rising clinical need. “The supply chain of radiopharmaceuticals and the infrastructure needed to administer these radiopharmaceuticals are (key) challenges we are facing,” he stated.

Historically, the U.S. has relied on external partners—particularly Canada—for medical isotopes. Dr. Urbain pointed out that this dependency is unsustainable and noted that SNMMI has been “working very actively” with lawmakers to build a more resilient, domestic supply network. Their long-term goal is the creation of “autonomous” U.S.-based supply chains for medical isotopes.

Another priority for Dr. Urbain is extending the reach of nuclear medicine to communities that currently lack access. “We have mobile technology. We have mobile PET/CT. We have mobile SPECT/CT units that we can dispatch to those communities. The advantage of dispatching mobile units is that patients don’t have to travel far,” he said.

This focus is critical, as it's estimated that approximately 100 million Americans reside in medically underserved areas.

Dr. Urbain also highlighted the potential role of artificial intelligence in closing this accessibility gap. AI, he suggested, could be instrumental in developing more effective strategies for delivering radiopharmaceuticals to these underserved populations.

As demand continues to climb and access remains uneven, Dr. Urbain’s vision centers on innovation, infrastructure, and equity.