Scans rationed after facility shuts down

NSW nuclear medicine plant halts production of a radioisotope used in about 80% of scans
nuclear medicine
ANSTO workers at the Lucas Heights facility. Photo supplied.

Less than two weeks ago, it shut down production of the radioisotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), the parent isotope of technetium-99m, which is used in about 80% of nuclear scans.

“We have four teams working in parallel to progress options to rectify the issue, and a fifth in daily contact with international partners to source medicine from overseas,” an ANSTO spokesperson said.