FDA, NRC clear path for U.S. supply of molybdenum-99

Molybdenum-99

Two years ago many were predicting a potential large-scale shortage of Tc-99m for nuclear medicine studies. Old reactors closing and other undergoing repairs and upgrades were all to blame. But, in our capitalistic economy, someone seeing a demand always comes up with an answer. Recently we heard about the use of LEU (low enriched uranium) for the production of Moly-99 and that broadened the supply of Tc-99m. Today we learn another company, NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, was approved to market their non uranium method for the production of Tc-99m. It appears the supply of Tc-99m in the USA is stabilizing and the threat of large shortages of this important isotope may not materialize after all.

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