The U.S. radiopharmaceutical market generated $883 million in revenues in 1999, according to market research firm Frost & Sullivan. Steady growth is expected in the coming years, with revenues totaling $1.6 billion by 2006 said the firm, which recently published a report called U.S. Radiopharmaceutical Markets.
While growth potential for the radiopharmaceutical industry may be huge, advances in the field may fade if the technology’s benefits are not communicated clearly, according to the report. The limited supply of isotopes may also present a research challenge. While thousands of isotopes are used daily in the U.S. for diagnostic testing, the vast majority of the agents are produced outside of the country, according to Frost & Sullivan of San Jose, CA.
On a positive note, Frost & Sullivan believes that radiopharmaceuticals have the potential to become the leading specialty for cancer diagnostics and treatment, an opinion supported by a growing body of clinical data. Among the latest advances, medical isotopes have been developed for use as alternatives to narcotics for controlling the debilitating pain of bone cancer, according to the company.
Nuclear medicine has also made advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiological conditions. Ultimately, however, the technology's success will depend on the education of the public and the government about the benefits of radiopharmaceuticals, according to Frost & Sullivan.
By Erik L. RidleyAuntMinnie.com staff writer
August 2, 2000
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