The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) said it is working with Mallinckrodt, a division of Covidien of Hamilton, Bermuda, to investigate elevated levels of molybdenum-99 in the company's technetium-99m isotope.
The NRC learned of the problem on January 24, acknowledging that the Maryland Heights, MO, division began receiving information from its customers two weeks earlier that the liquid withdrawn from molybdenum-99/technetium-99m generators showed higher-than-usual levels of molybdenum-99.
By January 31, Mallinckrodt had received information that more than 100 generators had higher levels of molybdenum-99 in the solution withdrawn from the generators. The NRC contacted Mallinckrodt about the problem and inquired about the actions the company was taking to correct the situation.
Earlier this month, the NRC sent an inspection team to evaluate the situation, the company's response, and its follow-up to correct the problem. The NRC expects to issue a report in the next 30 to 45 days after its inspection.
Related Reading
Medical sales drive Covidien's Q1 growth, February 7, 2008
NSF lawsuit filed against Tyco, Mallinckrodt, January 16, 2008
Covidien inks deal with MedAssets, November 20, 2007
Covidien partners with UNSW on imaging agent, October 8, 2007
Covidien emerges from Tyco's shadow with R&D emphasis, August 20, 2007
Copyright © 2008 AuntMinnie.com
