The Media Room
Natural Resources Canada
2009/68
July 16, 2009
Expert Review Panel on Medical Isotope Production Holds First Meeting
TORONTO – The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, today met with the Expert Review Panel on Medical Isotope Production, which was created to provide advice on securing a sufficient and reliable isotope supply for Canada.
The objectives of the Expert Review Panel are to review and assess proposals submitted by the private and public sectors for alternatives to producing Molybdenum-99/Technetium-99m, the key medical isotopes currently in short supply around the world. The Panel was launched by Minister Raitt on June 19, 2009.
“Ensuring Canadians have a predictable and reliable supply of medical isotopes remains a priority for the Government of Canada,” said Minister Raitt. “This Panel was created to help us do just that — to review our options and to help find new solutions for our medium- and long-term supply.”
The Minister met briefly with Panel members Peter Goodhand, Richard Drouin, Thom Mason and Éric Turcotte to express her thanks and to acknowledge the value of their experience as Canada plots a course for the future.
“Together with the health care community, our Government is actively engaged in finding solutions,” added Minister Raitt. “The Panel’s work is an integral part of this process, and I look forward to reviewing their recommendations.”
Expressions of Interest for the Panel’s review must be submitted to the Government of Canada by July 31, 2009. The Panel will report to the Minister of Natural Resources by November 30, 2009.
For more information on the Expert Review Panel or on actions being taken by the Government of Canada during the medical isotopes shortage, visit www.isotopes.nrcan.gc.ca.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt today met with the Expert Review Panel on Medical Isotope Production, which was created to provide advice on securing a sufficient and reliable supply of isotopes for Canada in the medium to long term. The Panel will review and assess proposals submitted by the private and public sectors and will report back to Minister Raitt by the end of November.
For more information, in English or French, media may contact:
Jocelyne Turner
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Ottawa
613-996-2007
or
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/index-eng.php.