Isotope Supply

The CAMRT Perspective

The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) has identified the potential of a global shortage of medical radioisotopes as an emerging issue of concern in the near to medium term, particularly for the international community of nuclear medicine specialists and their patients. Technetium-99m (99mTc) is used in over 80% of nuclear medicine procedures- more than 30-40 million examinations worldwide yearly. This is the “bread and butter” of nuclear medicine. Ongoing reliable supply of this critical isotope is under threat. According to a recent OECD report , “Current global irradiation and processing capacity is predicted to be insufficient over the period analysed for reliable 99Mo/99mTc supply, even with all producers operating under normal conditions…

CAMRT is working with a number of stakeholders to define the issue more specifically and propose solutions that mitigate the impact of a diminished supply of medical isotopes , to provide decision makers with the details they need to make an informed decision.

Backgrounder: Anticipating a problem, proposing solutions Medical Radioisotope supply – François Couillard

 

News and Updates

CAMRT Summary Update on the Global Supply Situation for MO-99- August 2018
Updates: Archival

 

Stakeholder perspectives and links

Canadian Association for Drugs and Technology in Health (CADTH)

 

Visit the isotope supply page or the Isotope Supply Resource Centre for further information about the supply of medical radioisotopes.