Written question asked by Lord Mendelsohn (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 July 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 August 2017. It was answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy (Conservative) on Monday, 31 July 2017 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Radioisotopes: Imports

Question: Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of the potential impact of not reaching agreement with the EU by April 2019 on the supply of the radioisotope molybdenum-99 used to produce technetium-99m which is required for over 80 per cent of diagnostic medicine procedures in the UK; (2) what assessment they have made of the potential impact of delays or disruption to the supply of diagnostic medicine procedures that may result; and (3) what contingency plans they have put in place to mitigate such delays or disruption to that supply after Brexit.

Answer: The Government is fully aware of the importance of molybdenum-99 and the reliance on this medical radioisotope for diagnostic procedures in the National Health Service. The United Kingdom’s ability to import medical isotopes from Europe and the rest of the world will not be affected by withdrawal from Euratom. It is in everyone’s interest to not disrupt the timely access of treatment to patients and to ensure that cross-border trade with the European Union and Euratom is as frictionless as possible.

Secondary information