ScienceNews has an update on the Molybdenum-99 diagnostic imaging isotope shortage. With the shutdown of the Chalk River and Petten nuclear reactors, Mo-99 production has fallen to 30 percent of normal. The article reports three strategies hospitals are employing to deal with the shortage. Some are putting patients on wait lists. Others are working longer hours, trying to test as many patients as possible before their supply decays (Mo-99 has only a 66 hour half life, and Technetium-99m, its daughter product actually used in the exams has a 6 hour half life.)
The third strategy is use substitute isotopes whenever possible. The article mentions several alternatives, such as thallium-201 for heart imaging studies. However, these alternatives can be more expensive and, as is the case with thallium-201, give the patient a higher dose of radiation. In addition, even if the alternatives cost the same, apparently Medicare is refusing to cover them. The Center for Medicare Services is considering changing its position, but no decision is expected for at least 6 months.
Meanwhile the American Medical Isotopes Production Act languishes in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Even if it passes, it will be several years before a domestic source of Mo-99 is viable. When the Petten reactor comes back up in a few weeks, it will only be in service for 6 months before it shuts down for maintenance for an additional 6 months. It’s looking more and more like this shortage is going to be more than a temporary inconvenience.
(Via the tireless John Jacobus. You can assume that for any post of mine, there is at least a 75% chance he was the one who brought it to my attention.)
