Canada’s decreasing isotope supply
Posted Mar 27, 2010 08:31:54 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A Halifax doctor is asking what Canada is going to do as the global medical isotope shortage becomes even more dire.
The federal nuclear facility at Chalk River is Canada’s main source for the cancer diagnostic and treatment product. But the facility has been off line since last May. Now a similar plant in the Netherlands is closing for six months. Plus, several smaller plants are preparing to shutdown for routine maintenance checks throughout April.
The division head of nuclear medicine at the Queen Elizabeth II, Dr. Andrew Ross, wants to know what Canada is going to do to help.
“I feel very bad that Canada has allowed this to evolve the way it has because really we were the ones who were the main suppliers,” Dr. Ross told News 95.7.
Ross points to the Maple project, Canada’s plan to build two reactors to replace the Chalk River facility, but which fell through in 2008.
“We had said that we would continue to supply the world…. I would really like to see a strong look at what Canada will do to help,” Dr. Ross added.
The QEII is currently operating with between one half and one quarter of its regular stock of medical isotopes as the global shortage continues. Dr. Ross explained the province hasn’t cancelled any procedures, but many people’s appointments have been scheduled and rescheduled to ensure the most serious cases are seen first.
Staff has also being working nights and weekends to make the most of the isotopes’ short lifespan.
