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Molybdenum supply
Molybdenum Supply

Update on current reactor issues

View the update here here


Updated 23.11.2022

Global shortage in molybdenum availability - BNMS Guidance

View the BNMS Guidance here


Updated 04.11.2022

Mo-99 Supply Chain Update from SNMMI

Much like you, the SNMMI leadership has been closely following the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation—monitoring the latest recommendations provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to help address its inevitable impact on the nuclear medicine and molecular imaging community. In line with the SNMMI’s mission to improve human health by advancing nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and radionuclide therapy; SNMMI’s primary focus is on how this issue may affect our ability to care for patients; more specifically, how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the Mo-99 supply situation.

Mo-99 Supply
The SNMMI is particularly paying close attention to how the COVID-19 pandemic might affect different parts of the Mo-99 supply chain including production, target processing, and transportation. As you may imagine, many factors can affect this supply chain, including quarantines and closures of schools that result in the absence of key staff, as well as disruptions in the international transportation network. In order to keep our members as informed as possible, SNMMI is currently taking the following steps:

  • Monitoring official government sites to obtain the most up-to-date information about the status of Mo-99 production and processing facilities;
  • Reaching out to our industry partners and working with trade organizations to ensure that we provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate information Mo-99 availability; and
  • Updating our membership as soon as we learn of any interruptions to the Mo-99 supply chain.

At this time, no Mo-99 shortages have been reported. Moving forward, SNMMI will remain in close contact with government agencies, trade organizations, and other stakeholders in the nuclear medicine and molecular imaging community to help to ensure an adequate supply of Mo-99.


16.03.2020

Future Supply of Medical Radioisotopes in the UK - BNMS Report

View the report here.


01.12.2014

Future Supply of Medical Radioisotopes for the UK Report 2014

View the report here.


01.12.2014

Developing Sustainable Supplies of Medical Radioisotopes for the UK Report of a Task Group

View the report here.


25.02.2014

BNMS Molybdenum Supply Update July

We are advised that the supply of Molybdenum 99 to the United Kingdom during July 2010 is likely to be severely constrained by the reduction in reactor capacity. This is the continuing result of the planned and unplanned repairs and maintenance of a number of reactors.
Early advice indicates that all departments will experience a shortfall in supply and it is possible that some departments will receive less than 50% of their requested activity to maintain a full clinical service.
This was discussed by BNMS Council on 29 June and endorsed by Dr Erika Denton, National Clinical Lead for Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Health.
Where a department has a significant shortfall it is recommended that priority is given to the following studies:
1.Sentinel lymph nodes
2.Paediatric studies
3.Studies in which other imaging modalities are specifically contraindicated eg patients in renal failure where i.v. contrast may not be given for CT or MR
4.Clinically urgency as determined by discussion between managing clinicians.
We would strongly encourage you to inform us weekly of your supply and patient activity during this shortage. This should be through the generator update form here.
We are expecting that the situation will improve towards the end of July and that supplies will be restored from Chalk River later this year.


02.07.2010

Environment Agency Briefing on Technetium 99m supply

The Environment Agency has produced a new briefing note in relation to the ongoing shortage of Technetium 99m generators. This confirms their previously published enforcement position but indicates that if permanent or semi permanent changes to deliveries are put in place then users should obtain appropriate variations to their registrations.
This can be viewed on the Agency website using the link below:

Environment agency website

08.06.2010

Molybdenum supply letter from Dr Gill Vivian - 16th October 2009

Dear Colleagues,
There are currently two substantial problems with Molybdenum supply:
One of our licensed distributors of radio-isotopes have gone into liquidation resulting in difficulty in transporting radiopharmaceuticals and generators this weekend;
GE are experiencing particular problems with generators this week. Please let us know immediately of any problems you are facing this week.
We would also like you to include information on your current waiting lists and activity position as a national snapshot.
Kind regards
Dr Gill Vivian
President, British Nuclear Medicine Society



16.10.2009

Molybdenum - Letter from Dr Gill Vivian, President BNMS

Nuclear medicine:- Maintain clinical services during July 2009

PDF


02.07.2009

Molybdenum Shortage- High level briefing Paper (NIB-03)

This paper was prepared by the National Imaging Board as a briefing for ministers. It has been given approval for circulation on the BNMS website. This paper demonstrates the strong collaboration between the Dept. of Health, the BNMS and commercial suppliers to ensure the effective communications for service providers and to enable the best use of restricted supplies for patient investigations.
Paper (NIB-03) pdf 9 July 2009


PDF

09.07.2009

Environment Agency Enforcement Position Statement

Enforcement Position Statement - This statement was originally released 19 Sept. 2008 - the statement is still relevant following recent events

Enforcement Position Statement

Further Information


08.06.2009

Assessment of the risk to Service of the Moly Shortage: advice on alternative imaging procedures

Assessment of the risk to service of the Molybdenum Shortage and advice on alternative imaging procedures. Professor Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer, Department of Health

PDF

17.06.2009

 

Advice from the BNMS on use of lower amounts of injected activity and resolution recovery techniques and alternative procedures.

Advice on MPS using thallium-201 for sites more familiar with technetium-99m SR Underwood, Royal Brompton Hospital, June 2009

PDF

15.06.2009

 

BNMS Spring Meeting Molybdenum Presentations

BNMS Spring Meeting 2009
Molybdenum supplies and Nuclear Medicine shortages
Dr Gill Vivian: Emergency protocols and the BNMS
Prof. Alan Perkins: Molybdenum supplies and Nuclear Medicine services
Dr James Thom: The Molybdenum shortage and its effects on a radiopharmacy

Dr Gill Vivian Presentation

Prof Alan Perkins Presentation

James Thom Presentation

28.04.2009

 

BNMS Summative document of informal discussions between BNMS, Department of Health and Industry

PDF

16.06.2009

 

BNMS Radiopharmacy Summit

Notes from the BNMS Radiopharmacy Summit in February 2009
Supply of Mo-99 for UK Nuclear Medicine Services Presentation, Dr Gill Vivian and Prof. Alan Perkins
Supply of Mo-99 for UK NUclear Medicine Services Presentation 2 Prof. Alan Perkins

Notes from the BNMS Radiopharmacy Summit

Dr Gill Vivian and Prof Alan Perkins

Prof Alan Perkins

February 2009

 

AIPES Press Release 14/06/09

AIPES PRESS RELEASE : Global Mo99 Situation

PDF


14.06.2009

 

 

 

© 2013 BNMS unless otherwise stated.
The BNMS is a registered as a company in England and Wales with number 08082786.  The BNMS is a charity governed by the rules of the Charity Commission for England and Wales - Registered Number 1150234.  Registered Office: The Royal College of Physicians, 11 St. Andrew's Place, Regent's Park, London NW1 4LE.
The British Nuclear Medicine Society is not able to give specific clinical advice to members of the public. If you are concerned about your scan or therapy please seek the opinion of a nuclear medicine clinician where you were seen or the clinician who referred you to the department or your GP.
Enquiries related to issues such as internships and work experience opportunities, should be directed to the relevant professional body e.g., for radiologists, this will be the Royal College of Radiologists.