Statement Regarding A Potential Disruption In Global Isotope Supply Due To Shutdown Of Dutch Reactor

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 27 Aug 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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On Friday, August 22, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited informed Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn that a reactor in the Netherlands that makes isotopes has temporarily shut down due to technical difficulties.

Upon learning of this outage, Minister Lunn immediately contacted Health Minister Tony Clement, and the two Ministers implemented the Protocol for Notification and Information Sharing Amongst Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Natural Resources Canada, and Health Canada Concerning Shortages of Medical Isotopes, which came into place after the December 2007 shortage of medical isotopes. Health Canada has notified provincial and territorial health officials and key partners in the nuclear medicine community of this situation.

"As committed, we are giving early notice to our partners so that they can prepare to meet their patients' needs," said Minister Clement. "Doctors told us that early communication is critical to mitigating isotope shortages. By maintaining open lines of communication with this protocol, we expect to minimize the impact on medical treatment for Canadians."

The Government of Canada places the highest priority on the health and safety of Canadians. The new protocol is serving as an excellent vehicle to communicate information clearly, quickly and effectively to all involved parties.

"Our Government is monitoring this developing situation, and is working closely with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and suppliers in an effort to help ensure a consistent supply of medical isotopes for Canadians," said Minister Lunn.

It is estimated that 15 to 20 per cent of the Canadian market is supplied primarily by other reactors outside Canada, including the Dutch reactor. Health Canada has been assured that supply to Canada will continue at regular levels for this week.

"We are in discussions with suppliers to ensure minimal impact to the Canadian supply of isotopes," said Minister Clement. "We are working to ensure that Canadians will have the isotopes they need. The health and safety of Canadians is always our foremost concern."

Despite a scheduled five-day maintenance closure later this week, the Government has confirmed that Atomic Energy of Canada Limited will be able to increase its normal production schedule to help close the supply gap should a global shortage arise. Other reactors in South Africa, France and Belgium that produce isotopes are also on scheduled maintenance for various periods of time over the next few weeks.

"Doctors and healthcare institutions have flexibility in scheduling non-urgent procedures which require medical isotopes. Given this amount of notice, we encourage them to take advantage of this flexibility in the weeks ahead," said Minister Clement.

Health Canada