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In an overlooked corner of pharma, drastic price hikes hit medicines for radiology scans

The cost of two widely used radiology medicines sold to hospitals for performing lung and kidney scans jumped between 500 percent and nearly 1,800 percent.
Source: Evan Vucci/AP

Three years ago, pharmacist Dennis McClure was stunned by news from a key supplier.

The cost of two widely used radiology medicines that his pharmacy sells to hospitals for performing lung and kidney scans jumped between 500 percent and nearly 1,800 percent. Earlier this year, he received yet another jolt — prices not only rose again, but the supplier sent a long-term contract requiring him to purchase a minimum amount of another of its medicines, as well.

McClure believes the supplier, Jubilant DraxImage, acted unfairly, but felt he had to take the deal.

“They have a monopoly,” said McClure, who operates Nuclear Apothecary in St. George, Utah, one

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