The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) have released a report on the state of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) production, its utilization in medicine, and progress toward eliminating the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) during production.
The report was mandated by the American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2012 and says, “The committee judges that there is a substantial (>50 percent) likelihood of severe molybdenum-99/technetium-99m supply shortages after October 2016, lasting at least until current global suppliers complete their planned capacity expansions.”
Mo-99 is used to produce Tc-99m, the most commonly used radioisotope worldwide (about half in the United States). The production and supply of radioisotopes iodine-131 (I-131) and xenon-133 (Xe-133) are also a concern.
Shortages of Mo-99 in recent years, due to reliance on aging reactors outside the United States, have led to major efforts around the globe to ensure a reliable supply. Since a major shortage of Mo-99 occurred in 2009, there has been pessimism about meeting future needs for Tc-99m.
Imaging Technology News – October 28, 2016.
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