Episode 46 – Contrast Use in Imaging A Pharmacist’s Perspective

• Describe the historical expansion of clinical pharmacy services into non-traditional hospital settings and explain why the radiology department has remained one of the last areas without routine pharmacy involvement.
• Identify the causes of recent contrast agent shortages, including the COVID-related manufacturing disruption in China and the 2025 supply-demand shortage, and describe how manufacturer allocation models ration product during a shortage.
• Discuss recommended strategies for mitigating the impact of contrast agent shortages, including appropriate versus inappropriate use of safety-stock banking, maintaining accurate historical purchase data with suppliers, and prospectively selecting a backup contrast agent before a shortage occurs.
• Explain the role pharmacy can play in contrast agent contract negotiation and cost optimization, including compliance with existing market-share and tiered-pricing agreements, wholesaler and purchasing-channel review, and evidence-based evaluation of new higher-cost imaging agents based on demonstrated clinical outcomes rather than theoretical benefit.
• Describe practical considerations for implementing a new or alternative contrast agent u{2014} using cardiac ultrasound contrast agents as an example u{2014} including mechanical index calibration, vendor on-site support, and appropriate advance notice to suppliers before a product switch.

The content of this Imaging Today CME symposium is intended for healthcare professionals including MR Technologists, Imaging Nurses, Administrators, Researchers, and Others.

This Imaging Today CME activity has been planned and submitted for approval of 1.00 hour of Category A CE Credit by the International Society for Magnetic Resonance Radiographers and Technologists (ISMRT), an ARRT-Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM).

Release Date: TBD | Expires: TBD

Participants may claim only one type of credit for this educational activity.

Faculty and Planner Disclosures:
As an accredited provider of continuing medical education, Northwest Imaging Forums, Inc. (NWIF) ensures balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its educational activities. In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, all faculty and planners are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the last 24 months. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated by NWIF to ensure the integrity of the CME activity. The planner has nothing to disclose.