Nuclear Medicine
In 2009, nuclear medicine had an awakening when the Chalk River Reactor, a major supplier if Mo-99, had an unexpected shutdown for emergency repairs. Nine years later the world is changing, with advocacy and funding of newer suppliers for the isotope to support the production of Tc-99m. Luckily the majority of nuclear procedures are scheduled. In 2009, when the supply of Tc-99m doses ran short because of the reactor shutdown, nuclear pharmacies worked with providers to ensure doses were available when exams were scheduled. Were some exams rescheduled to spread the short supply? They were. But, the take home message is nuclear pharmacies were able to work with clinical providers and patients were imaged. Today we’re more aware and working to develop better and more suppliers of Mo-99 as Chalk River goes permanently offline. Shortages are always difficult but, the very nature of nuclear medicine imaging, i.e. scans can be scheduled, makes shortages manageable.
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