CAMRT welcomes the Government decision to support the extension of the operations of the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor

CAMRT welcomes the Government decision to support the extension of the operations of the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(February 9, 2015) – The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) welcomes the Government of Canada’s decision to support the extension of the operations of the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor from October 31, 2016, until March 31, 2018. The NRU is operated by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Ltd. (CNL), a subsidiary of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.

CAMRT CEO François Couillard says that “since the April 2014 release of an OECD Report indicated that the expected insufficient processing capacity that would occur were the NRU to cease operations in 2016 would be a major risk for secure supply in the next 5 years, CAMRT has been actively advocating for a solution.” By encouraging collaboration between governments and the key stakeholders in the international nuclear medicine community, CAMRT was hopeful that strategies to mitigate the very real threat of global shortages of critical medical isotopes in the years following the planned closure of the NRU in 2016 could be developed. Says Couillard, “The government’s decision is a responsible one. It is welcome news for the 1300 nuclear medicine technologists within our membership, and their patients. By extending operations of the NRU for an additional two years, as well as encouraging innovative development of alternate sources of medical isotopes, the government of Canada is making a significant contribution to advancing diagnosis and treatment in the field of nuclear medicine.”

CAMRT looks forward to ongoing collaboration with the Canadian government and the broader nuclear medicine community in Canada and abroad, to ensure a stable and affordable global supply of medical isotopes into the future.

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About CAMRT: Founded in 1942, the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) is the national certifying body for radiological technologists, radiation therapists, nuclear medicine technologists and magnetic resonance technologists and, as such, provides the national entry to practice certification examinations. The CAMRT is also the national professional association that represents and promotes the MRT profession. It offers quality professional development programs, advocates on behalf of the MRT profession, publishes the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, conducts an annual conference and develops and promotes statements of professional best practice.

For media interviews or additional information on this release and CAMRT, please contact:

Leacy O’Callaghan-O’Brien
Director, Advocacy, Communications and Events
Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT): www.camrt.ca
Call: 613-234-0012 x 230 or 1-800-463-9729 E-mail: lobrien@camrt.ca

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