Dear CAMRT members,
This is a follow up to the January 26, 2018 message on the current global supply situation.
With Australia’s Opal Reactor back on line since last week, its production of medical isotopes has progressively increased and should be back to its regular levels by the weekend. We have been informed however that a tight supply situation is expected this coming weekend. The tightness should not be as pronounced as the one that occurred last weekend in some parts of the country. The global supply is expected to be in an improved state early next week.
As for the NTP reactor in South Africa, it continues to be temporarily shutdown and a restart date has not yet been communicated.
Producers and suppliers are continuing to work collaboratively during this period to minimize the impact on patients. Given the circumstances, it is recommended that particular attention be made by clinicians to the efficient usage of medical isotopes. For your reference, a link to the Supply Management Application to Rank Uses of Technetium-99m (The “S.M.A.R.T.” Tool) is noted here https://www.cadth.ca/SMART-Tool.
The Government of Canada is monitoring the situation closely and is committed to keeping you informed as we receive updated information
As we mentioned in the last update, we are interested to hear if you are experiencing any disruption to your own local supply of medical isotopes. Please send these updates, or any other feedback to Christopher Topham, Director of Advocacy and Communications at ctopham@camrt.ca.
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