McMaster University is currently the only supplier in the world of a medical isotope used to treat prostate cancer — raising concern about shortages in 2020. Another reactor in Russia that makes this isotope is also offline. McMaster normally creates enough to treat 200 patients a day, but right now, it’s supplying enough for 400 patients. Permanently upping the supply requires major changes such as increasing the operation to 24 hours a day from the current 16. In addition, the operation is financially self-sustaining so it has to make sure permanent changes don’t hurt the bottom line.

Source: thestar December 30, 2019 04:52 UTC