The Commission adopted a Communication to the European Parliament and to the Council on medical applications of ionizing radiation. It proposes a way forward to resolve the urgent issue of shortage of supply of radioisotopes for nuclear medicine. The Communication also identifies key issues to improve radiation protection of patients and medical staff, to avoid a rise in population exposure associated with treatments and an increase of accidental or unintended exposures in radiotherapy.

This Communication is a joint proposition of Commissioners responsible for Energy and Health and Consumer Policy aiming to the protection of patients and staff to avoid a rise in exposure associated with the technological advances in X-ray computed tomography imaging (CT) and an increase of accidental or unintended exposures in radiotherapy, as well as to resolving the shortage of supply of radioisotopes for nuclear medicine. All over the world, the number of X-ray examinations is around 4 billion per year, representing around 9 million patients treated with radioisotopes every year in Europe. Furthermore, it is the Commission's responsibility to help securing the availability of this technology to the benefit of human health, according the limitation of the exposure. 

Today, the most widely used diagnostic radioisotope, Technetium-99m, is short in supply because it relies on an unsustainable low number of production reactors. Within the overall nuclear energy policy of the European Commission it is of crucial importance to provide incentives for further research reactors to contribute to its production and in the long term for new research reactors to be built for this purpose. The Communication proposes a long-term perspective on the medical application of ionizing radiation in the Union to stimulate discussions on the necessary actions, resources and distribution of responsibilities.

Key Commission proposals on nuclear medicine, radiology and radiotherapy

• Strengthen the existing regulatory framework: The current legislation (Directive 97/43/Euratom) will be upgraded to enhance regulatory supervision to ensure that the legal requirements are respected. This will be part of an overall consolidation of radiation protection legislation in 2011.
• Raise awareness and safety culture.
• Foster radiation protection and a sustainable supply and use of radioisotopes through research: Actions within the Euratom and EU Framework Programmes and in the framework of the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) should contribute to the improvement of radiation protection and to the development of research infrastructures and competences.
• Financing mechanisms to ensure sustainable supply of radioisotopes.
• Integration of policies: Medical applications of ionizing radiation call for good integration of different policies, on public health, research, trade and industry as well as radiation protection.
• International cooperation: The World Health Organization (WHO) is very active in this area and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has built up important programmes and information tools. The Commission will support all initiatives for coordinated efforts.