Latest news with #High-AssayLow-EnrichedUranium
Euronews
15-04-2025
- Health
- Euronews
EU agency flags risks to nuclear medicines from dependency on Russia and US
ADVERTISEMENT Increasing radiopharmaceutical production alone won't secure Europe's supply, unless the EU also addresses its dependency on raw materials from Russia and the US, and improves efficiency of cross-border transport, according to the EU's top pharmaceutical authorities. As demand for radiopharmaceuticals grows steadily across Europe, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) issued a joint set of recommendations on Monday urging the EU to strengthen its supply chain by targeting critical vulnerabilities beyond production. Radiopharmaceuticals are medicines containing radioactive isotopes and are essential in diagnosing and treating conditions such as tumours. An example is the use of iodine for imaging and treating thyroid cancer. While safe for medical use, their radioactive nature makes both production and transport uniquely complex and highly regulated. The EMA warns that the EU's current supply chain is not only constrained by limited manufacturing capacity, but also hampered by fragmented transport regulations and a heavy reliance on third countries for key raw materials. A call to ensure the supply of medical radioisotopes was highlighted by EU-27 energy ministers last June. Related Which critical raw materials are used in Europe's defence sector? Dependency on Russia, US A major concern is the EU's dependence on High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), a specialised fuel used in reactors that produce medical isotopes. Currently, Russia is the only commercial supplier capable of delivering HALEU at scale through its state-owned company Tenex. The US, while not yet a major supplier, began producing HALEU domestically in October 2023 for the first time in more than 70 years. Additionally, French nuclear fuel company Orano is exploring the possibility of building a uranium enrichment facility in the US to reduce Washington's reliance on Russian imports. To address these dependencies, the EMA recommends developing EU-based HALEU enrichment capabilities and investing in long-term solutions. The EU's agency also supports initiatives like the European Radioisotope Valley Initiative (ERVI), which aims to boost domestic production of medical radionuclides, and SAMIRA (Strategic Agenda for Medical Applications of Ionising Radiation), part of the EU's Beating Cancer Plan. EU countries are encouraged to map their entire radiopharmaceutical supply chains, from raw material sourcing to final delivery, and explore national strategies aligned with a broader EU framework. The EMA's recommendations come as the EU reassesses the strategic value of medical radioisotopes, recognising their importance not just for public health but also for geopolitical resilience and health sovereignty. Related 5 takeaways on the Critical Medicines Act Transport bottlenecks and lead restrictions While expanding production remains important, the EMA emphasises that addressing transport bottlenecks is equally critical. ADVERTISEMENT The agency points to regulatory inconsistencies between member states and outdated infrastructure as key barriers to efficient delivery. Transporting radiopharmaceuticals requires highly specialised containers, strict timing, and coordination across a patchwork of national regulations. All these factors can delay the delivery of time-sensitive, life-saving treatments. Among its proposed solutions, the EMA calls for EU-wide certification standards for transport containers and mutual recognition of certifications among member states. Without such harmonisation, delays and inefficiencies could intensify as demand continues to rise. ADVERTISEMENT One looming challenge is the EU's move to ban lead in transport containers. Lead, commonly used to shield radioactive materials, poses significant environmental and health risks. While the EU has already banned lead shot in wetlands, broader restrictions are being considered, potentially affecting the radiopharmaceutical supply chain. However, the EMA stresses the Commission to consider the potential challenges and consequences for the sector in case of a ban of lead.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Doctor allegedly tried to push wife off 1000ft cliff in Hawaii
A doctor accused of trying to murder his wife on a hiking trail in Hawaii attacked her because she refused to take a picture with him, police sources have claimed. Anaesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig, 46, was arrested on Monday after allegedly striking Arielle Konig in the head with a rock and attempting to push her off the 1000ft Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout in Oahu. Dr Konig attacked his nuclear engineer wife, 36, at around 10am after she refused to take a photo with him, according to police sources. Mrs Konig told officials her husband had attacked her with his fists and a rock before he tried to push her off the trail, according to Hawaii News Now. Dr Konig is also alleged to have used syringes during the attack, although it is not clear if they contained anything. The victim was taken to a local hospital in critical condition with serious head and facial injuries. She told medical officials her husband had attacked her. Dr Konig was arrested after a six-hour manhunt near Nuuanu Pali Drive shortly after 6pm after fleeing the scene on foot. He is facing a second-degree attempted murder charge, pending review from the prosecutor's office. The Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout sits around 1000ft above the Oahu coastline, offering views of the Koʻolau cliffs and Windward Coast, according to Honolulu Police Department said officers 'located Gerhardt Konig near Pali Highway and arrested him after a brief foot pursuit. Charges are pending.' The Konigs have been married for seven years and live in a $1.5 million home in Maui, according to reports. Dr Konig's medical licence, which he obtained in September 2022, was still valid when The Telegraph checked the state's professional vocational licensing database on Wednesday morning. Maui Health, Dr Konig's employer, suspended him pending investigation. 'Maui Health is committed to patient safety and upholding the highest standards of care,' the firm told KHON2 in a statement. 'We have been made aware of the allegations against Gerhardt Konig, MD. Dr Konig has been suspended from the medical staff pending investigation.' Dr Konig previously worked as an assistant professor of anaesthesiology and bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of Medicine and Engineering. His wife graduated with a degree in nuclear engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, according to her LinkedIn account. She is currently employed as a project manager working on HALEU (High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium) supply for firm TerraPower. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
