Purchase of AAA Netspot - 40 microgram kit for Radio-Pharmaceutical preparation

The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had to purchase Netspot (gallium Ga 68 dotatate) which is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for use with positron emission tomography (PET) for localization of somatostatin receptor positive neuroendocrine tumours.

Netspot (gallium Ga-68 dotatate) is a somatostatin analogue which demonstrates excellent uptake and in vivo stability rapid, tissue penetration, binding and clearance are observed and as a result the speed and resolution of picture acquisition is improved and the patient receives a much lower radiation dose.

Use of Ga-68 generator also enable production of Ga-68 PSMA on-site allowing flexibility of service and negates reliance on outsourced companies for delivery radiopharmaceuticlals.

As the vial is multidose the Trust currently has a high throughput of patients who are prescribed this scan, failure to order in the quantities required results increased waiting lists and delays to the service.

This product is licensed in USA but unlicensed in UK. It can only be sourced in the UK from Imaging Equipment Ltd.

There is no other available treatment as effective available on the NHS - Ga-68 dotatate scan can be used in PET imaging. PET imaging provides greater resolution and speed of imaging and therefore diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumours.