Technetium Tc99m Generators

Products Affected - Description

Ultra-Technekow DTE, Covidien
Technelite, Lantheus

Reason for the Shortage

Technetium Tc99m generators were in short supply due to a worldwide raw material shortage. Two nuclear reactors in Canada and The Netherlands that supply the raw materials were closed for repairs and maintenance.^1-6

Estimated Resupply Dates

Supply is expected to be available.⁴

Implications for Patient Care

Technetium Tc99m generators are used to produce technetium Tc99m, a radioactive isotope. This radioactive isotope is commonly used in nuclear medicine for both diagnosis and treatment of disease.¹

Alternative Agents & Management

Related Shortages

• Arginine 10% Injection — Resolved
• Fluorescein sodium injection — Resolved
• Lissamine Green Ophthalmic Strips — Resolved — No Commercially Available Preparations
• Technetium Tc99m Albumin Aggregated Injection — Resolved
• Thyrotropin Alfa — Resolved

References

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Drug Shortages. Accessed December 9, 2010.
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Questions and Answers. Technetium-99m Radiopharmaceutical Product Shortage. Accessed December 9, 2010.
3. Covidien. Dear Nuclear Medicine Professional Letter. Updated May 22, 2009. Accessed December 9, 2010.
4. Covidien. Dear Nuclear Medicine Professional Letter. Updated September 15, 2010. Accessed December 9, 2010.
5. Lantheus. Dear Nuclear Medicine Professional Letter. Updated June 3, 2009. Accessed December 9, 2010.
6. Lantheus. Dear Nuclear Medicine Professional Letter. Updated August 23, 2010. Accessed December 9, 2010.

Updated

Updated December 9, 2010, by Michelle Wheeler, Pharm.D., Drug Information Specialist, Drug Information Service. Created August 14, 2009 by M. Christina Beckwith, Pharm.D., Drug Information Specialists. Copyright 2010, Drug Information Service, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.