Navigation Links
Worldwide isotope shortage continues to pose significant challenges
Date:9/8/2009

RESTON, Va.SNM recently conducted a survey of nuclear pharmaciespharmacies that supply the critical radioisotope Technetium-99m, which is used in more than 16 million nuclear medicine tests each year in the United Statesto assess, anecdotally, the impact of the worldwide medical isotope shortage. According to the survey, 60 percent of radiopharmacies have been impacted by the most recent shortage. Technetium-99m is a product of Molybdenum-99, which has been in short supply recently.

Nuclear physicians and pharmacists are making changes to cope with the shortage, while striving to provide patients with the highest levels of care possible. For example, 75 percent of physicians are rescheduling patient tests by at least one day. In more than one out of three of these cases, tests have been delayed for longer than one month.

"This situation is untenable," said Robert W. Atcher, Ph.D., M.B.A, chair of SNM's Domestic Isotope Availability Task Force. "Nuclear scans and procedures that use Tc-99m are used to detect and diagnose many common cancers and cardiac conditions."

"In some cases, waiting even a day can severely impact care, especially if the condition is progressing rapidly," said Michael M. Graham, M.D., Ph.D., president of SNM. "Getting information early on in the disease progression is critical, and is one of the real benefits of molecular imaging."

In addition to delays, more than 80 percent of nuclear physicians and specialists are decreasing the dosage, which can lead to "longer exposure and less effective imaging scans," added Atcher.

Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) is a medical isotope derived from Mo-99 which is produced in reactors. Only six reactors in the world produce Mo-99 that is approved for use in the US. These reactors undergo routine maintenance. Recently, however, they have been experiencing chronic mechanical issues due to the age of the reactors and extended operation beyond their expected lifetime. Wh
'/>"/>

Contact: Amy Shaw
ashaw@snm.org
703-652-6773
Society of Nuclear Medicine
Source:Eurekalert

5

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related medicine news :

1. Data from Patient Subsets of e-HEALING, a Worldwide Registry, Support Use of OrbusNeichs Genous(TM) Bio-Engineered R Stent(TM) as Alternative to Drug- Eluting Stents
2. National Association for Sport and Physical Education Partners with S&S Worldwide to Help Improve Childrens Fitness
3. Global Med Technologies(R) Extends Its Worldwide Outreach
4. Worldwide Probiotic Drink, Yakult(R), Launches in Its First Major U.S. Market
5. In Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and Spanish Speakers Worldwide International Hyperhidrosis Society Publishes Important New Patient Booklet in Spanish
6. New USAID grant helps Georgetown meet unmet family planning needs worldwide
7. The Cardiovascular Multimedia Network (CVMD) and the International Society of Endovascular Specialists (ISES) Join Forces to Educate Practitioners Worldwide Through Electronic Media
8. Unilens Names Eschenbach Optik Exclusive Worldwide Distributor of the UniVision(R) Low Vision Lens
9. Video: Beyond the Red Door: Gildas Club Worldwide and DKNY Host Successful Benefit Event
10. Allscripts Featured in Microsoft HealthVault Worldwide Launch
11. Abortion Numbers Fall Worldwide
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/21/2013)... HealthDay Reporter , , TUESDAY, May 21 (HealthDay ... life, but some of the changes brought about by ... diabetes. New research has found that people with ... percent higher risk of having a severe low blood ... compared to people with diabetes who aren,t depressed. ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... charged gold nanoparticles are usually toxic to cells, ... toxicity. Mayo Clinic researchers found out why, and ... ovarian cancer cells. The discovery is detailed in ... of Biological Chemistry ., "This study identifies a ... preventing the cell death or apoptosis which should ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... The team at Comfort &Harmony™, a leader in nurturing ... a nursing pillow. , Nursing pillows are designed ... , In a nursing pillow, important things to ... Designers at Comfort & Harmony, kept this list in mind ... pillow needs to fit a mom’s body and feel comfortable. ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... Texas (PRWEB) May 21, 2013 ... and process automation applications for video collaboration, today ... innovative vRating index evaluates key performance metrics related ... have an immediate, aggregated indicator of the performance ... of the Vyopta vAnalytics™ application, the vRating™ delivers ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... MAY 21, 2013 Three major Ohio universities and ... Foundation to establish a new collaborative research program aimed ... The March of Dimes intends to invest $10 million ... March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center -- Ohio Collaborative ... Howse, President of the March of Dimes. "This new ...
Breaking Medicine News(10 mins):Health News:Depression May Raise Low Blood Sugar Risk in Diabetics 2Health News:Depression May Raise Low Blood Sugar Risk in Diabetics 3Health News:Mayo Clinic: How gold nanoparticles can help fight ovarian cancer 2Health News:Comfort and Harmony™ Shares Tips on What to Look for in a Nursing Pillow 2Health News:Comfort and Harmony™ Shares Tips on What to Look for in a Nursing Pillow 3Health News:New vRating™ Video and Unified Communications Scoring System Delivers Innovative Approach to Measure Performance and ROI for Collaboration Networks 2Health News:New vRating™ Video and Unified Communications Scoring System Delivers Innovative Approach to Measure Performance and ROI for Collaboration Networks 3Health News:New multi-million dollar research center aims to solve the mystery of premature birth 2Health News:New multi-million dollar research center aims to solve the mystery of premature birth 3
... -- A new three-year study finds that a multiple sclerosis drug ... form of MS if it,s given early in patients who appear ... called "interferon beta-1a," is not available in the United States. It ... elsewhere. "While we,ve known it,s beneficial to start MS drugs ...
... have discovered that salicylate, the active ingredient in aspirin, ... protein kinase), a key player in regulating cell growth ... fuel-gauge is switched on by exercise and the commonly ... at McMaster University, the University of Dundee and the ...
... HealthDay Reporter , THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- ... the chronic inflammatory skin disease known as psoriasis than ... researchers found that biologics, which can cost upwards of ... standard drug treatment for psoriasis, methotrexate, but that their ...
... , THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- Most ... of a cancer diagnosis low: Don,t smoke, eat healthy, exercise ... make those choices, and a new report suggests that lawmakers ... those changes easier ones to make. ...
... , THURSDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- Online ... a small new study. This is because scammers not ... them by pretending to have a meaningful connection with them. ... was a significant relationship. The U.K. study included 11 ...
... Scientists have identified 33 genes associated with autism and related ... to be altered in people with schizophrenia. Of the ... the first time, according to the study, which currently appears ... print issue of the journal Cell . "By ...
Cached Medicine News:Health News:Early Use of MS Drug May Cut Likelihood of Progression 2Health News:McMaster researchers find potential for new uses of old drug 2Health News:New Psoriasis Drugs Not Much Better Than Standard Therapy, Study Finds 2Health News:New Psoriasis Drugs Not Much Better Than Standard Therapy, Study Finds 3Health News:Healthy Lifestyle Choices Could Cut Cancer Rates: Report 2Health News:Healthy Lifestyle Choices Could Cut Cancer Rates: Report 3Health News:Online Dating Scams Can Take Emotional, Financial Toll 2Health News:Genes Associated With Autism Also Related to Schizophrenia 2
(Date:5/21/2013)... 2013  Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured ... Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting ... the blog include Actavis, Inc.,s (NYSE: ACT ), ... TOT ), Petrobras (NYSE: PBR ) and ... (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO ) Get the ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... 2013  IsoRay, Inc. (AMEX: ISR ), ... into an exclusive international distribution agreement with IASIS Medical ... Greece . IsoRay is a medical ... radioisotope applications for brain cancer, lung cancer, head and ... IASIS Medical is ideally suited to support ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... Hurel Corporation ("Hurel"), a world-leading provider of ... today announced the appointment of James S. ... of Directors. Dr. MacDonald is the former Executive Vice ... ("SPRI"), which was the pharmaceutical development arm of Schering ... in 2009. Over a career that has ...
Breaking Medicine Technology:The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Actavis, BP, Total, Petrobras and Devon Energy 2The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Actavis, BP, Total, Petrobras and Devon Energy 3The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Actavis, BP, Total, Petrobras and Devon Energy 4The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Actavis, BP, Total, Petrobras and Devon Energy 5IsoRay Announces A New International Distributor For Greece 2IsoRay Announces A New International Distributor For Greece 3Hurel Corporation Appoints Leading Pharmaceutical Executive and Toxicologist Dr. James S. MacDonald to Board of Directors 2
... Oct. 5, 2011 Reportlinker.com announces ... is available in its catalogue: ... Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition ... This Kalorama Information report details the ...
... Calif., Oct. 5, 2011 In an independent study ... the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio ... to compromised blood flow during reconstructive microsurgery when compared ... study by Dr. Cornejo and colleagues is important as ...
Cached Medicine Technology:The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 2The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 3The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 4The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 5The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 6The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 7The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 8The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 9The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 10The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 11The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 12The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 13The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 14The Market for Prescription Dermatological Drugs, 7th Edition 15Spectros T-Stat Shown to Be Earliest Available Method for Detection of Surgical Skin Flap Compromise After Surgery 2
... is a national reference laboratory and a ... development. ARUP offers an extensive test menu ... in clinical and anatomic pathology. Owned by ... include more than half of the nation's ...
... is a national reference laboratory and a ... development. ARUP offers an extensive test menu ... in clinical and anatomic pathology. Owned by ... include more than half of the nation's ...
... is a national reference laboratory and a ... development. ARUP offers an extensive test menu ... in clinical and anatomic pathology. Owned by ... include more than half of the nation's ...
... ARUP Laboratories is a national reference laboratory ... research and development. ARUP offers an extensive ... medical tests in clinical and anatomic pathology. ... Laboratories' clients include more than half of ...
Medicine Products: