The Supply of Medical Radioisotopes [electronic resource]: The Path to Reliability /
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
NEA.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and DevelopmentContributor
Paris : OECD Publishing,
2011.
The reliable supply of molybdenum-99 (99Mo) and its decay product, technetium-99m (99mTc), is a vital component of modern medical diagnostic practices. Disruptions in the supply chain of these radioisotopes can delay or prevent important medical testing services. Unfortunately, supply reliability has declined over the past decade, due to unexpected or extended shutdowns at the few ageing, 99Mo-producing, research reactors and processing facilities. These shutdowns have recently created global supply shortages. This report provides the findings and analysis of two years of extensive examination of the 99Mo/99mTc supply chain by the OECD/NEA High-level Group on the Security of Supply of Medical Radioisotopes (HLG-MR). It puts forth a comprehensive policy approach that would help ensure long-term supply security of 99Mo/99mTc, detailing the essential steps to be taken by governments, industry and the health community to address the vulnerabilities of the supply chain, including its economic structure.
Executive Summary 13 1. Introduction 27 -1.1 The issue 27 -1.2 Formation of the High-level Group on Medical Radioisotopes 28 -1.3 The final report 29 2. Reactor Irradiation Capacities 31 -2.1 Current situation 31 -2.2 Reactor scheduling co-ordination 37 -2.3 Potential new reactor-based&nbsp;99Mo production capacity 39 -3. Processing Capacities and Constraints&nbsp; 45 -3.1 Introduction 45 -3.2 Current situation 45 -3.3 Constraints on processing 48 -3.4 Barriers to the development of processing facilities 52 -3.5 Conclusions 54 4. Enhanced Communication between Suppliers and Consumers&nbsp; 55 -4.1 Introduction 55 -4.2 Communication protocols&nbsp; 55 -4.3 Communication on supply availability to the health community 58 5. Demand for Molybdenum-99/Technetium-99m 61 -5.1 Introduction 61 -5.2 Survey results&nbsp; 66 -5.3 Determinants of change 72 -5.4 Demand scenario 79 -5.5 Conclusions 83 6. Transportation and Procurement Issues 85 -6.1 Introduction 85 -6.2 Procurement and transport of enriched uranium&nbsp; 86 -6.3 Transport of uranium and target plates (to and from manufacturer) 87 -6.4 Transport of irradiated targets 89 6.5 Transport of bulk&nbsp;99Mo and generators overseas 91 -6.6 Summary 93 7. Molybdenum-99/Technetium-99m Supply Chain Economics 95 -7.1 Introduction 95 -7.2 The supply chain and historical implications&nbsp; 95 -7.3 Recommendations and options 98 8. Technologies for Producing Molybdenum-99/Technetium-99m 101 -8.1 Background 101 -8.2 Considered technologies 101 -8.3 Assessment criteria&nbsp;102 -8.4 Assumptions on data&nbsp;103 -8.5 Methodology and assessment summary 103 -8.6 Conclusions 104 -8.7 Further work 106 9. Iodine-131 Supply Situation 107 10. Policy Approach 109 -Introduction 109 -Policy option 111 -Conclusions&nbsp; 137 11. Conclusion 141 References 143 Appendix 1. HLG-MR Members 145 Appendix 2. Delegated Participants 149 Appendix 3.&nbsp;OECD Secretariat 151 Appendix 4. Terms of Reference and Outline Work Programme&nbsp;152 Appendix 5. Meetings of the HLG-MR 157 Appendix 6. First Instalment of Rolling Action Plan 159 Appendix 7. Second Instalment of Rolling Action Plan 160 Appendix 8. Third Instalment of Rolling Action Plan 162 Appendix 9. Members of the Demand Project Expert Advisory Group and Technopolis Group Consultants 165 Appendix 10. Further Reading&nbsp; 167
The reliable supply of molybdenum-99 (99Mo) and its decay product, technetium-99m (99mTc), is a vital component of modern medical diagnostic practices. Disruptions in the supply chain of these radioisotopes can delay or prevent important medical testing services. Unfortunately, supply reliability has declined over the past decade, due to unexpected or extended shutdowns at the few ageing, 99Mo-producing, research reactors and processing facilities. These shutdowns have recently created global supply shortages. This report provides the findings and analysis of two years of extensive examination of the 99Mo/99mTc supply chain by the OECD/NEA High-level Group on the Security of Supply of Medical Radioisotopes (HLG-MR). It puts forth a comprehensive policy approach that would help ensure long-term supply security of 99Mo/99mTc, detailing the essential steps to be taken by governments, industry and the health community to address the vulnerabilities of the supply chain, including its economic structure.
Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph
Nuclear Energy
Physics
Physical Sciences & Mathematics
Nuclear Physics