Socioeconomic Impact of Cyclotrons in King Faisal Specialist Hospitals and Research Centre in Saudi Arabia

Cyclotron and Radiopharmaceuticals Department (C&RD) is a state-of-the art facility for two primary activities: Radiopharmaceuticals production and Precision Radiopharmaceuticals research. Since late 1970s, the mission of C&RD is to provide diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical products that are manufactured by employing the highest quality standards, and to make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia self-sufficient in all its radiopharmaceutical requirements. At the C&RD facility, three cyclotrons (particle accelerators) are dedicated to producing several essential radioisotopes, which are transformed into radiopharmaceuticals, and subsequently qualified as suitable for human use through rigorous testing and quality assurance. Radiopharmaceuticals manufacturing program is not only quite unique even for a major medical center, but also an essential component of King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) in providing the specialty services and quality patient care for the population of the Kingdom. On-demand and reliable availability of radiopharmaceuticals are essential components of viable nuclear medicine practice. C&RD manufactures a wide range of radiopharmaceuticals used in diagnostic medical imaging, as well as for radiotherapy.