The attempts to harmonise nuclear medicine in Ukraine.

During the years 1991–1997 the number of nuclear medicine (NM) laboratories and radionuclide investigations in Ukraine decreased significantly. The number of radioimmunoassays decreased by 2.2 times, functional radionuclide investigations fell by 4.6 times, scans and scintigraphies fell approximately by 10 times. The number of NM laboratories decreased from 81 in 1991 to 65 in 1998. Mainly this is related to difficulties with obtaining radiopharmaceuticals. Unfortunately, due to the economic difficulties in this country, the Ukrainian Ministry of Public Health does not have sufficient funds to cover the expenses of radiopharmaceuticals. Today, in accordance with official decisions, the Ministry of Public Health provides funds for radiopharmaceuticals for only 7 institutions. Other NM laboratories must find funds on their own using local budgets. Unfortunately, most of them are unsuccessful in their efforts. Moreover the limited funds for centrally-financed radiopharmaceuticals (i.e. through the Ministry of Public Health) cannot satisfy the needs of all users.