The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering changing training and experience requirements for administering radiopharmaceuticals that require a written directive. Four new “draft approaches” detail how such updates may look.
The original public comment period ended Monday, June 3, but the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), American College of Radiology (ACR) and American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) requested and received a 30-day extension.
While the first of the four draft approaches involves simply maintaining the status quo, the other three involve taking more significant actions, as the SNMMI explained in a statement. One approach involves reducing the requirements for the administration of certain radiopharmaceuticals, the second involves “shifting oversight of competency to an examination authority or licensee” and the third involves “shifting competency requirements from an individual to a team.”
The SNMMI noted that it “opposes any reduction in training and experience requirements.”
“Any reduction in current requirements will compromise the safety of patients, their caregivers, and family members,” according to the statement. In addition, the society stated, no shortage of authorized users who can administer such radiopharmaceuticals has been identified.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.