The Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), along with a host of other leading medical imaging groups and vendors, addressed a July 18 letter to the Senate and House subcommittees on Energy and Water Development voicing their support for $20 million in additional funding to help establish domestic production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99).
In the letter, SNMMI president Satoshi Minoshima, MD, PhD, and others argued, despite the American Medical Isotope Production Act of 2012 (AMIPA), concern remains over the current global Mo-99 supply challenges.
The letter urged lawmakers to include language that clearly directs the entire $20 million to be used for National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) medical isotope program to establish domestic production of Mo-99, from which technetium-99 mn is derived.
“As active members of the health care industry and profession, we regularly witness the immeasurable benefits Mo-99 provides as a critical nuclear medicine product, used in over thirty distinct diagnostic procedures,” the letter read. “In total, more than 50 million scans are performed each year, of which approximately half benefit patients here in the United States.”
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.