Healthcare technology firm Covidien of Dublin, Ireland, anticipates technetium-99m (Tc-99m) will remain in short supply in the month of July.
The company's latest forecast shows that Covidien's Tc-99m generators will receive molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) primarily from the Maria Research Reactor in Poland, with additional Mo-99 coming from South Africa and the Czech Republic.
"The month will again present challenges, however, with two operating reactors offline for scheduled maintenance," the forecast stated.
Specifically, a Belgian reactor will be offline for a portion of July, while the French Osiris reactor will be down for the entire month.
The Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group's (NRG) High Flux Reactor in Petten, the Netherlands, continues to undergo planned maintenance and is scheduled to resume production in August.
Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) expects medical isotope production at its National Research Universal reactor in Chalk River, Ontario, to begin by the end of July, if it receives regulatory approval.
Related Reading
Covidien sees good Tc-99m supply in June, June 11, 2010
Covidien to buy ev3 for $2.6B, June 1, 2010
Covidien updates May Mo-99 supply status, May 6, 2010
Covidien pharma sales fall in Q2, April 21, 2010
Covidien warns of 'extreme' Mo-99 shortage in May, March 30, 2010
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