Dutch doctors and pharmaceutical companies are concerned about Europe's reliance on the Russian nuclear sector for the raw materials needed for certain cancer treatments using radioactive medicines. Radioactive substances are increasingly being used in hospitals for cancer research and treatment, and some can only be obtained from Russia. These substances, such as Lutetium-177 and Terbium-161, are crucial for treating metastatic prostate cancer and other types of cancer. However, the enrichment of these substances is almost exclusively done in Russia. This dependency on Russia raises concerns in the medical world, as there is a fear of potential sanctions or disruptions in the supply chain. In response, an American isotope manufacturer called Shine is planning to build facilities in the Netherlands to produce these substances and reduce reliance on Russia. The Dutch government has provided subsidies and loans for this project, and production is expected to start by the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028.
Wed, 21 Aug 2024 07:12:00 GMT | NL Times