Sri Lanka begins local production of key PET scan drug to boost cancer diagnosis

Sri Lanka has officially begun local production of Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a critical radiopharmaceutical used in PET-CT scans, in a move expected to significantly improve the country’s cancer diagnosis services. The initiative, launched through a public-private partnership involving the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board and Access Engineering PLC, marks the first time FDG has been produced locally. Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the development would enable the PET-CT scanners at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka and the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama to operate at full capacity, with plans to eventually provide services seven days a week. Until now, Sri Lanka relied on imported FDG from India, which often resulted in supply disruptions, long waiting times for patients and high costs due to the drug’s short half-life. The Minister said local production would allow PET scan services to expand substantially, with the National Hospital aiming to increase scanning from one day a week to three days a week, potentially quadrupling the number of patients receiving scans. The same model is expected to be introduced at the Apeksha Hospital in the future. He added that the initiative would not only improve timely cancer diagnosis but also reduce foreign exchange expenditure by eliminating the need to import the drug. Dr. Jayatissa noted that around 100 new cancer cases are reported daily in Sri Lanka, while approximately 40 cancer patients die each day, underscoring the importance of improving early diagnosis and access to treatment. (Newswire)