[ RadSafe ] US shortage of TC-99m

[ROY HERREN]

The following is from an announcement put out this afternoon:
   
Technetium generator update:
As of 3:45 pm EST, Mallinckrodt corporation has issued a recall of all technetium generators and all technetium labeled pharmaceuticals from Mallinckrodt supplied nuclear pharmacies.  Apparently, a routine sterility test done on a recent production run was positive promoting the recall and cessation of technetium production.  Mallinckrodt supplies  ~50% of all technetium generators sold in the U.S.  This safety recall and cessation of production will result in an immediate and significant shortage of technetium for diagnostic nuclear medicine studies.  Mallinckrodt states that they are collaborating with Bristol-Meyers-Squib (BMS) to supply BMS with substrate materials sot that BMS can ramp up technetium production to ease the shortage, but this will take some time.  Mallinckrodt suggests that facilities contact BMS to make arrangements to receive technetium supplies when they are available.  In addition, Mallinckrodt and BMS will increase production of 201-thallium, an alternative
 cardiac imaging agent, so that emergent/urgent cardiac studies can continue to be performed.
 
Nuclear medicine laboratories should contact their raadiopharmaceutical vendors to determine whether they will continue to receive technetium and if not make contingency plans to manage patient care during this shortage.
 
 
Roy Herren

larry ratliff <ratman_90 at yahoo.com> wrote: 
Can anyone tell me what is up? We are hurting over here, and not been told as to why. Any ideas or infor would be greatly appreciated

Larry W Ratliff BS, RT(N)(R)(CT)
Nuclear Medicine Team Lead
Exempla Good samaritan Medical Center
Lafayette, CO 80026
Ratliffl at exempla.org




Larry W Ratliff RT(N)(CT)(R),CNMT
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Roy Herren
		
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