20 Dec (NucNet): Long-term shortages of the key medical radioisotopes molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) and technetium-99m (Tc-99m) could occur if the “unsustainable economic situation” in the supply chain does not improve, a study has warned.
The study, by the Paris-based OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), says the economic situation in the supply chain for Mo-99 and Tc-99m is jeopardising the reliability of long-term supply and making “full cost recovery” essential for the industry.
It says the radioisotope supply chain is “unsustainable for any investment” and as a result, full-cost recovery is a necessary, but insufficient condition for long-term supply reliability and low-enriched uranium (LEU) target conversion.
The study shows the expected capacity and cost impacts of converting to the use of LEU targets for the production of Mo-99.
All current long-term, major Mo-99-producing countries have agreed to convert from using high-enriched uranium (HEU) to LEU targets for Mo-99 production. The study says this decision was made based on “important non-proliferation reasons”.
However, the conversion will have potential impact on the global supply chain, both in terms of costs and available capacity, the study concludes.
The study says LEU-target conversion is important for long-term security of supply of Mo-99 and Tc-99m, but that while LEU-target conversion does reduce the available irradiation and processing capacity, it is not the expected cause of potential long-term shortages.
Long-term shortages could occur if the economies of the Mo-99 and Tc-99m supply chain do not improve. Under a situation of “ongoing economic challenges” LEU-target conversion could accelerate long-term shortages, the study says.
It says converted LEU-based Mo-99 is more expensive than HEU-based Mo-99.
The LEU-target conversion price impact is an increase of less than eight percent from the radiopharmacy, but is greater further up the supply chain.
The study says there could be a role for governments to encourage LEU-target conversion and consumer uptake of non-HEU-based Mo-99 and Tc-99m to ensure long-term supply security.
Mo-99 is used to produce Tc-99m, a radioisotope used in over 80 percent of diagnostic nuclear medical procedures worldwide.
In June 2011, the NEA said the long-term supply of Tc-99m was not secure because the market had not addressed the underlying problem of an “unstable economic structure”.
The NEA said essential steps need to be taken by governments, industry and the health community to address the vulnerabilities within the supply chain including changing an economic structure that “does not support or reinforce reliable supply”.
Five reactors produce the bulk of global Mo-99 supply. They are the High-Flux Reactor (HFR) at Petten in the Netherlands, BR2 in Belgium, Osiris in France, Safari in South Africa and the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor in Canada.
Other reactors started production to help alleviate shortages caused when the Canadian and Dutch reactors were subject to extended shutdowns between 2009 and 2010. They are Maria in Poland, Řež in the Czech Republic and units at Dimitgrovgrad in Russia. Other reactor operators – Opal in Australia and RA-3 in Argentina – have expanded operation beyond domestic needs during and following shortages.
The study, ‘The Supply of Medical Isotopes: Market Impacts of Converting to Low-enriched Uranium Targets for Medical Isotope Production,’ is online:
www.oecd-nea.org/ndd/reports/2012/7129-leu.pdf
