Reactor Issue Could Halt Imaging Tests
The isotope used in radiopharmaceuticals for the majority of nuclear medicine imaging studies could be in short supply until January, following production issues at a Canadian reactor, Reuters reports. Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. said delays in work on its National Research Universal reactor mean it won't be back up to full capacity until mid-January. Isotopes from that reactor are used by MDS Inc.
December 6, 2007
and its subsidiary MDS Nordion, which supplies more than 50% of the world's medical isotopes. When injected into the body, they give off radiation that can be imaged by a camera to diagnose cancer and other diseases. That means some who may need to have such a test performed won't be able to have it done right away.UPDATE: The Canadian government is pushing through legislation that would reopen the reactor.UPDATE 2: The reactor has been reopened.
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