The European Commission (EC) has sent to the European Parliament a series of recommendations designed to address the global medical isotope shortage and prevent unnecessary radiation exposure for CT and radiation therapy patients.
The commission has proposed the following actions:
- Strengthen the existing regulatory framework by upgrading regulatory supervision to ensure legal requirements are achieved. The recommendation would be part of an overall consolidation of radiation protection legislation in 2011.
- Raise awareness and safety with adequate training and regular updates on good practice to ensure both good medical care and radiation protection. Awareness also would be targeted for patients and the general population.
- Foster radiation protection and a sustainable supply and use of radioisotopes through research at Euratom and European Union Framework Programs, and within the framework of the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP), which would help improve radiation protection and the development of research infrastructures.
- Finance mechanisms for a sustainable supply of radioisotopes.
- Integrate policies for the medical applications of ionizing radiation for the benefit of public health, research, trade, and industry, as well as radiation protection.
- Cooperate internationally with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which have existing programs and information tools.
The EC estimated that approximately 9 million patients are treated each year with radioisotopes, with the most widely used radioisotope, technetium-99m, in short supply due to fluctuating production at nuclear reactors.
Related Reading
European Commission's 'digital agenda' includes health IT, June 2, 2010
EU tackles legal issues of e-health, teleradiology, March 6, 2010
Europeans seek to exempt MRI from EMF rules, October 16, 2009
EMEA called upon to review isotope shortage, October 6, 2008
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