Demand for radiopharmaceuticals produced by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) grew to record levels during the 2000- 2001 financial year with a 13 per cent increase in sales.
Most of the radiopharmaceuticals were produced from the operation of ANSTOs HIFAR research reactor. The result confirms that applications of nuclear medicine are expanding, and that most Australians will use an ANSTO radiopharmaceutical product atsome time in their lifetime for the diagnosis or treatment of disease.
Head of ANSTO Radiopharmaceuticals, Dr Stuart Carr, said that the continuing surge in radiopharmaceutical use underlined the case for the replacement research reactor that is to be constructed at Lucas Heights to commence operation in early 2006.
Dr Carr added that, "Clinical interest in better diagnostic imaging and more therapeutic applications also continues to grow. At the most recent international conference on nuclear medicine there was a 40 per cent increase on attendance for the previous year. A number of exciting treatments utilising short-lived radioactive isotopes are being trialed overseas, and the proposed new reactor will put Australia in the position to be able to offer the latest and best methods to combat cancer and other diseases."
ANSTO sends radiopharmaceuticals to 200 medical centres across Australia and exports them to more than ten other countries, including New Zealand, South Korea and China.
As well as producing radiopharmaceuticals, ANSTO s reactor produces isotopes for industrial and environmental applications, such as manufacturing process controls and tracing the movements of sediments and sand.
Published: 26/09/2001