SNM applauds House action to build medical isotopes reactor in the US

American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2009 will ensure reliable medical isotope supply

Reston, Va.—SNM applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for its passage of H.R. 3276—the American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2009.

"The worldwide isotope shortage has long been adversely affecting patients in the U.S.," said Michael M. Graham, Ph.D., M.D., president of SNM. "This important legislation will bring us one step closer to solving this chronic problem."

The American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2009 was introduced by Congressman Edward J. Markey (D–MA) in July.

"Congressman Markey has worked closely with the medical community, members of industry and other stakeholders to ensure that this important legislation comes to fruition," said Robert W. Atcher, Ph.D., M.B.A., chair of SNM's Domestic Isotope Availability Taskforce. "The time is now to make sure that the U.S. has long-term access to medical isotopes—without having to rely on foreign producers."

Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) is a critical medical isotope. Technetium-99m—the decay product of Mo-99—is used in more than 16 million diagnostic medical tests annually in the U.S. for the early detection and effective management of cancer, heart disease, thyroid disease and other serious conditions.

There are currently only six foreign producers of Mo-99 approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to import the product into the U.S.—and no domestic facilities exist which are dedicated to the production of Mo-99 for medical uses. These aging foreign reactors regularly experience significant ongoing maintenance issues—frequently causing these reactors to go off-line. These continuing problems were exacerbated with reactors shutting down in Canada and the Netherlands earlier this year. Subsequently, the Canadian government announced that it will no longer produce medical isotopes as of 2016.