Isotope shortage update: Target restart date for downed reactor has been set

After being inactive since January, the downed high-flux reactor in the Netherlands is set to resume production of medical isotopes in the near future, according to an update provided by Nuclear Medicine Europe Emergency Response Team

The most recent announcement indicates that there is a plan in place to restore the reactor’s cooling function, which is currently under review with the NRG’s reactor safety committee. The plan still awaits approval and various licensing requirements, however, officials have set a target restart date of March 17, when the HFR is set to begin its second operating cycle of 2022. 

Due to the unplanned outage of the HFR, its first operating cycle of 2022 was canceled. The production halt resulted in a shortage of critically important radioisotopes, such as Mo-99, Lu-177 and I-131, which are used for medical imaging and as therapeutics. 

In the wake of such supply chain issues, Poland’s research reactor, Maria, immediately stepped up its production of Mo-99 to assist with the impending isotope shortage. Additionally, the BR2 reactor resumed its medical radioisotope production on Feb. 12. The update from the Emergency Response Team (ERT) suggests that because of these measures, the supply chain issues are resolving. 

“Supply of Mo-99/Tc-99m and Lu-177 is expected to return to normal within one week, I-131 should be back to normal during the first half of March,” the statement reads. 

The next update from the ERT is expected to arrive on Feb. 21. 

You can view the full statement here.

Hannah murhphy headshot

In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She joined Innovate Healthcare in 2021 and has since put her unique expertise to use in her editorial role with Health Imaging.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.