[en] With the recent clinical results for new treatments and diagnostic agents in nuclear medicine, the future demand for radiopharmaceuticals is very likely to change both in quantity and type. Therefore, we must examine the capabilities of existing facilities and determine the need for new production capacity. Our radiopharmaceutical production is focused on the near term market demand and has been a reliable supplier for health care community. Many studies have been conducted attempting to predict the potential market for promising new medical isotopes. Reviewing some reports the conclusion is that we must develop and/or enhance the capability to produce a special set of radioisotopes, sufficient to support clinical activities. Such a capability would prevent shortages of isotopes, reduce the dependence on foreign sources, stimulate biomedical research, and provide a social benefit. In 2000, our Institute planed to enhance its radioisotope production, specially the positron emitters, by establishing a new cyclotron-PET facility. In the following year, the scientific cooperation with public hospitals has leveraged the idea of establishing an integrated PET Center. The idea was to take advantage of our experience in the radioisotope production, in conjunction with the capability of the hospitals, in making available advanced nuclear techniques for medical diagnosis and therapy. One of the main supports to the idea is the capacity of immediate starting the production of the positron emitter ¹⁸F. Also, is considered the potential capacity to enhance the current production level. Our projected production is enough to supply 100% of the regional demand. Next is the labeling of some special molecules that will be applied to a variety of medical diagnoses, including tropical medicine. It is envisioned that this PET facility would play a central role in the introduction to the region of modern nuclear medicine, that is a strong tendency around the world. Presently we are constructing a building, that will receive a new dedicate cyclotron, as well as the radiopharmacy laboratories. The mediate objective is supplying the regional demand of positron emitters, and offer last generation diagnosis. The starting labeled molecule is ¹⁸FDG. By the end of 2004, the level of production will be around 5 Ci/week of ¹⁸FDG, enough to fulfill the hospital's needs inside our state. The specific objective is the setting up of a PET tracer producing facility. As a mediate result we will have a reduction in costs and expenses with therapies. A final and sustained result will be a positive impact on the public health system and on the region's quality of life