NRG Provides HFR Return to Service Update- July 20, 2010

The National Research and consultancy Group (NRG), operator of the High Flux Reactor (HFR) in the Netherlands, today informed its customers that the repairs of the HFR are nearly complete. They have received approval from Dutch authorities for their return to service plan. HFR now plans to begin operation in early September, 2010, with molybdenum 99 (Mo 99) target irradiation beginning soon thereafter. Resulting Mo 99 supply for generator production is expected in mid-September.

Covidien has secured additional Mo 99 from the Maria Research Reactor to supplement supply during this extended period of HFR unavailability, and we will be working with the other operating Mo 99 suppliers as well. Customer letters providing a further update on the situation and revised supply projections for August can be accessed at right.

Covidien's worldwide Mo 99 supply forecast is aided by the introduction of the Maria Research Reactor (Maria) to the global supply chain.Adding the IAE POLATOM’S Maria Research Reactor to Covidien’s global supply chain is expected to help Covidien meet the needs of more than one million additional patients in just the first six months after the reactor begins supplying Mo 99.

Older communications may now be accessed from the Archive link at left.Other sites posting situation updates, including Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL) with the latest on the NRU reactor shutdown in Canada and the Nuclear Research & consultancy Group (NRG) with the latest on the HFR.

• AECL (NRU reactor updates)
• NRG (HFR updates)
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration Drug Shortage (see technetium Tc 99m generators)
• Society of Nuclear Medicine
• American Society of Nuclear Cardiology
• Association of Imaging Producers and Equipment Suppliers (European Industrial Association for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Healthcare)
• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission