A letter from the Nuclear Medicine Europe (NMEU) Emergency Response Team indicates that the downed high-flux reactor (HFR) in Petten, Netherlands, could lead to a 40% reduction in the global supply of critical medical isotopes Mo-99 and Tc-99m. The reactor is undergoing immediate repairs due to a structural issue discovered during inspections, which will result in a shortage starting this week and lasting several weeks. The HFR, operational since 1961, is one of just six reactors responsible for producing Mo-99, essential for over 20 million medical procedures annually in the U.S. The situation underscores the reliance on foreign suppliers for these isotopes. Practices are advised to consult their suppliers for region-specific information on the shortage.
Fri, 18 Oct 2024 07:00:00 GMT | Health Imaging