Diversification in the Supply Chain of Mo-99 Ensures a Future for Tc-99m

作者：Cutler Cathy S; Schwarz Sally W^*

来源：Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2014, 55(7): 1208-1213.

DOI：10.2967/jnumed.113.131953

• novel Mo-99 production
• HEU
• LEU
• CMS reimbursement
• Tc-99m generator

The uncertain availability of Tc-99m has become a concern for nuclear medicine departments across the globe. An issue for the United States is that currently it is dependent on a supply of Tc-99m (from Mo-99) that is derived solely by production outside the United States. Since the United States uses half the world%26apos;s Mo-99 production, the U.S. Mo-99 supply chain would be greatly enhanced if a producer were located within the United States. The fragility of the old Mo-99 supply chain is being addressed as new facilities are constructed and new processes are developed to produce Mo-99 without highly enriched uranium. The conversion to low-enriched uranium is necessary to minimize the potential misuse of highly enriched uranium in the world for nonpeaceful means. New production facilities, new methods for the production of Mo-99, and a new generator elution system for the supply of Tc-99m are currently being pursued. The progress made in all these areas will be discussed, as they all highlight the need to embrace diversity to ensure that we have a robust and reliable supply of Tc-99m in the future.

• 出版日期2014-7