Ultrasound contrast may soon be available in India if plans of the Italy-based contrast agent developer Bracco crystallise. The initiative to introduce ultrasound contrast in India comes from Imaging Products (India) Pvt. Ltd. (IPI), which markets Bracco's contrast agents in the subcontinent, and is keen on offering its complete range, including US contrast.
"We would like to be the first to introduce US contrast," IPI managing director A.K. Valera said. However, he admitted regulatory approvals from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) can sometimes take as long as one to two years, especially because US contrast is a relatively new development globally, and its use is yet to be approved by many countries.
Contrast is used in nearly 80% of CT studies and in about 20% to 25% of MRI studies. In ultrasound, it presents an even bigger challenge because US is primarily a low-cost modality and the use of expensive contrast will drive up the cost of the procedure. All contrast agents (except two) attract an import duty of 5% under the existing duty structure.
Price is also an issue when it comes to the differential between ionic and nonionic x-ray contrast media. However, Valera points out that the nonionics that were once 13 times as expensive as ionic contrast agents are now available for less than double the price of ionic contrast.
Ionic media is unlikely to be phased out, but the share of nonionic media will increase to 75% in the next two to three years, he said.
By AuntMinnieIndia.com staff writers
November 11, 2004
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