The Government Radiological Technologists' Association (GRTA) says that Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan services for cancer patients have been suspended since March 27 at major government hospitals, including the National Hospital in Colombo and the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama.
GRTA President - Chanaka Dharmawickrama stated that the suspension is due to a shortage of Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a radioactive tracer (radiopharmaceutical) required to perform PET scans.
According to the association, FDG was previously imported from India. However, the registration of the supplier has not yet been updated by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
The NMRA has reportedly instructed the relevant company to amend the category under which the product is registered and reapply under the appropriate medicines category.
Although the company had submitted a fresh application in line with NMRA requirements on March 27 - coinciding with the expiry of its previous registration - approval has not yet been granted.
As a result, no company has been able to import FDG into Sri Lanka.
Currently, in the state sector, PET scan facilities are available only at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka and Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama, with patients facing a waiting list of over 04 months to undergo the examination.
While PET scans are available in the private sector at a cost exceeding Rs. 300,000, services have also been disrupted due to the unavailability of the required radiopharmaceuticals.
A PET scan is a critical diagnostic tool used to accurately detect cancer cell activity, determine the extent of cancer spread, and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
The GRTA has urged health authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the issue.
PET scan services disrupted at major govt. hospitals
