SNM cautions that establishing a reliable US supply of medical isotopes is critical
The medical community has taken additional steps to help alleviate ongoing challenges facing physicians and patients due to the worldwide isotope shortage. SNM cautions that while this is good news, a long-term solution for the U.S. is needed urgently.
Covidien today announced that it has reached an agreement with the Institute of Atomic Energy in Poland (IAE POLATOM) to irradiate targets at the Maria Research Reactor in Poland. It is estimated that these reactors could produce sufficient Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) to supply up to one million patient doses of Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) within the next six months.
"We are pleased by the level of international cooperation and coordination that is taking place to help resolve some of the continuing challenges that we face due to the ongoing medical isotope shortage," said Michael M. Graham, Ph.D., M.D., president of SNM. "This will help. However, we need to establish a stable source closer to home."
"There may be some short-term improvements for patients in Europe," said Robert W. Atcher, Ph.D., M.B.A, chair of SNM's Domestic Isotope Availability Task Force. "However, this is only a short-term fix to a long-term problem."
There are currently only five major producers of Mo-99-the decay product of which is Tc-99m-in the world, with none in the United States. In the U.S., 16 million diagnostic medical tests are performed annually using Tc-99m to detect cancer, heart disease, thyroid disease and other serious conditions.
"We need a stable Tc-99m supply to diagnose patients in the U.S.," added Graham. "Any and all viable efforts are welcome. Most critically, we must ensure that we have a stable and reliable supply to be able to image patients in the U.S."