The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) will be increasing the price of its medical isotopes, according to a recent report by the Australian.
An ANSTO spokesman told the news outlet the increase will be anywhere from 3-9%.
“The increases are modest, proportional, and reflect the ongoing cost to effectively deliver secure supplies of nuclear medicine,” the spokesman said. “We are consulting with the nuclear medicine community about these changes. Where concerns have been raised, we will work through them with customers who have their own commercial imperatives."
ANSTO’s new nuclear medicine facility received the proper licensing to begin full production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) just last month, but the nuclear medicine plant has been plagued by ongoing problems.
Most recently, ANSTO put out a statement admitting it was forced to halt production on its new $168 million facility after three employees were exposed to radiation doses. Two of those workers were exposed to a radiation dose “above the statutory limit.”
Read the entire story in the Australian below.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.