Scientific documentation of the Iranian radiopharmaceutical development program in the horizon 2025 in comparison to other regional competitors: A scientometric study

Introduction: Production and applicationofradiopharmaceuticals is one of the priorities in the comprehensive health map of Iran. The present study examines the scientific documentation of the Iranian radiopharmaceutical development program in the horizon 2025 in comparison to other regional competitors. Methods: The present study is a descriptive review performed by the scientometric method. The sources of data collection are studies conducted in the Web of Science database (Clarivate Analytics) from 1992 to 2021. Excel software was used to collect data and data analysis. Results: Among the countries in the horizon 2025, the highest rank of science production belongs to Iran and Turkey, each with 2.6%. The highest level of citation belongs to Turkey with 1.8% followed by Iran with 1.7%. Most of the radiopharmaceutical scientific productions and citations in Iran are recorded in 2020 (16.6% and 10.2%, respectively). The highest share of research area belongs to nuclear science technology with 37.1%. Iran has the most international cooperation with the United States (3.5%) and most citations from the scientific partnership with China (12.3%). Nuclear Science Research Center has the most share of science production and citations (22.1% and 7.1%, respectively). AR Jalilian is the top Iranian researcher with 11.5 percent of the total Iranian output in the radiopharmaceutical field. Conclusion: Although Iran ranks first in the production of science and second in citation recorded among competing countries, there is a need for continuous comprehensive nuclear science research and development plan for quantitative and qualitative advancement of this field. In addition, the Iranian researchers require having more interaction, scientific communication and cooperation with academic center in countries with advanced technology in nuclear and health sciences, especially East Asian countries.