OTTAWA – On December 15, 2008, I outlined a number of steps this Government is taking to ensure that Canadians have a secure supply of medical isotopes over both the short and long term. This included bringing together key global players as part of an international forum hosted by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) on January 29–30, 2009.
Earlier today the NEA concluded its international workshop on the security of supply of medical isotopes in Paris, France.
This meeting, convened at Canada's request, brought together representatives of government, industry, and the nuclear medicine community to discuss global solutions concerning the ongoing supply of medical isotopes. Eighty participants from 16 countries participated in this global dialogue.
I am pleased to report that at this meeting, participants agreed to:
- work collaboratively to foster contingency plans for dealing with disruptions in the supply of medical isotopes, and share information about its production;
- coordinate reactor maintenance schedules to ensure that facilities are not taken out of service simultaneously so as to not compromise supply;
- explore options for using existing reactors to increase production of Mo-99 isotopes during global shortages;
- address impediments to the distribution of isotopes, such as transport restrictions;
- increase the transparency of the Mo-99 supply chain and improve the efficiency of the distribution system;
- work with the medical community to explore options for efficient patient scheduling and utilization of available isotope supply and alternatives.
Participants agreed to support the creation of a new working group under the leadership of the NEA to carry forward this agenda.
Our Government's top priority has always been, and will continue to be, the health and safety of Canadians. My colleague the Minister of Health and I have been clear that ensuring a reliable supply of medical isotopes is a global issue that warrants a global response.
I look forward to building on the progress that has been made in Paris over the past two days, in collaboration with my colleagues, Canada's medical community, and our global partners.
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