By: Paola Plazas
Press Advisor
The strict regulation in Colombia widens the gap in diagnosis and access to treatments in the country, affecting the quality of life of patients.
In Colombia, nuclear medicine service units are concentrated in main cities such as Bogotá with 21, followed by Cali and Barranquilla with 9 each, Medellín with 6, and Cartagena and Bucaramanga with 4 each.
Meanwhile, intermediate and small cities have more limited coverage. For example, Ibagué has 3 units, and cities like Pasto, Montería, Cúcuta, Manizales, Pereira, and Armenia have 2 each, while Santa Marta, Popayán, Tunja, Valledupar, Villavicencio, Envigado, Neiva, Palmira, Soacha, and Faca, each have only 1 unit.
The available nuclear medicine service units in main cities house approximately 67%. Meanwhile, intermediate cities account for only 33%, highlighting a significant gap in the distribution of nuclear medicine services in a country where 40% of the national territory remains uncovered.
Currently, the care in nuclear medicine units in the country is being covered in 19 out of 32 departments, representing 60% coverage distributed as follows: Cundinamarca with 23 service units, followed by Valle del Cauca with 10 and Antioquia with 7. Atlántico, Bolívar, Santander, Tolima, Nariño, Córdoba, Norte de Santander, Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío, Magdalena, Cauca, Boyacá, Cesar, Meta, and Huila have one unit each. These departments have populations ranging from approximately 1 million to 8 million inhabitants.
On the other hand, nuclear medicine services are part of the functional cancer units in the country. For optimal cancer care, it is necessary to have specific radiopharmaceuticals, PET technology, and rooms for radionuclide therapy. Currently, this is only covered in 11 departments, which equals 34% of the territory.
“The inequality in the distribution of medicine units and the lack of services in intermediate cities and rural areas limits early diagnosis and treatment of serious diseases, especially in oncology (cancer), cardiology, and neurology. Additionally, the extensive and strict regulation of nuclear medicine,” said Emperatriz Angarita, President of the Colombian Association of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging – ACMNIM.
Adding that “The duration of travel to receive nuclear medicine treatment in Colombia can vary considerably depending on the patient’s location and the availability of nuclear medicine service units, which can affect accessibility and the frequency of treatments.”
A significant limitation that hinders the growth and expansion of nuclear medicine in Colombia is the complexity of its regulation. This specialty requires coordination among multiple entities, including DIAN, INVIMA, and the Colombian Geological Service, for the import and safe handling of radioactive materials, which can delay the development of new facilities and services.
Moreover, the opening and operation of nuclear medicine facilities involve meeting strict regulatory requirements, from permits from the Geological Service to certifications of good manufacturing practices for radiopharmaceuticals by INVIMA, and specific authorizations related to hospitals.
The global market for theranostics, which integrates diagnosis and treatment, is growing rapidly worldwide, expected to increase by 13% by 2032. Additionally, the radiopharmaceutical market has seen a significant increase due to the transition of oncology therapies to metabolic radiotherapy and nuclear medicine. Currently, 53% of new drugs in development are focused on cancer treatment.
These factors highlight the importance of nuclear medicine as a fundamental specialty in the country’s medical care. This specialty offers multiple benefits, including early and accurate diagnosis of diseases, enabling doctors to make diagnoses and plan treatments with greater precision, especially in oncology, cardiology, and neurology. Thanks to its continuous development and innovation in treatments, nuclear medicine contributes not only to significant advancements in medical care but also underscores the need for its expansion in the country to improve the quality of life for patients.
The Future of Nuclear Medicine in Colombia: Challenges and Opportunities
As Colombia faces significant challenges in the regulation and distribution of nuclear medicine services, the potential for future trends could reshape the healthcare landscape. Currently, the concentration of nuclear medicine units in major cities creates a stark imbalance in access for patients in intermediate and rural areas, limiting timely diagnoses and treatment of critical conditions.
With approximately 67% of nuclear medicine facilities situated in urban centers like Bogotá, Cali, and Barranquilla, the need for expansion into underserved regions cannot be overstated. Experts emphasize that the ongoing disparities hinder early detection and management of diseases, particularly cancer, thereby affecting overall patient outcomes.
Looking ahead, there is a clear opportunity to invest in the development of nuclear medicine infrastructure across the country. As the global market for therapeutic diagnostics, or theragnostics—which combines diagnosis and treatment—is projected to grow by 13% annually until 2032, Colombia could benefit by aligning its healthcare services with these trends. Increasing availability of specific radiopharmaceuticals and advanced technologies like PET scans can revolutionize disease management and significantly enhance patient care.
Another promising avenue for growth lies in the innovation of regulatory frameworks. Streamlining the complex processes involving multiple regulatory agencies could facilitate quicker approvals for new facilities and services, ultimately benefiting patient care. Simplifying these regulations can provide incentives for healthcare providers to establish practices in underrepresented areas, improving accessibility.
Moreover, the rising focus on the integration of advanced oncology therapies into nuclear medicine makes it imperative for Colombia to adapt and evolve its medical infrastructure. The growing percentage of newly developed medications targeting cancer treatment indicates that a strategic emphasis on nuclear medicine could yield significant advancements in patient outcomes across various specialties.
As Colombia navigates the challenges of nuclear medicine regulation and distribution, the commitment to enhancing patient access and care quality will be crucial. Future developments in this field hold promise, not only for improving healthcare infrastructure but also for boosting the quality of life for patients across the nation.