Brexit could delay the importation of radioactive isotopes to treat cancer patients in the U.K., according to a warning from the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR).
A report published in the Health Service Journal on 19 February cited RCR officials as saying the organization has not yet received any paperwork or details on how radioisotopes, which have a short shelf life, will be imported and available on a timely basis for cancer treatment.
"If a no-deal Brexit does delay or change the arrival of particular radioisotopes to individual cancer centers, then imaging and oncology teams will have no choice but to carefully plan and prioritize the use of each type of radioisotope in scans and cancer treatment, based on patient need and the availability of suitable alternatives," said Nicola Strickland, president of the RCR.
RCR is scheduled to meet with the Department of Health and Social Care this month to ask for "more concrete information on these issues," the journal reported.