Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, upon notice, on 7 June 2012:

In regard to isotope production at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s (ANSTO) Open Pool Australian Lightwater (OPAL) reactor:

(1) Does ANSTO routinely supply all of Australia’s Molybdenum 99 (Mo-99) requirements.

(2) Does ANSTO export Mo-99.

(3) Why has the cost of Mo-99 based generators for Australian patients increased since OPAL was commissioned.

(4) Does ANSTO import Iodine-123 (I-123), Thallium 201 (TI-201) and Gallium-67 (Ga-67); if so, is this because the National Medical Cyclotron was decommissioned in 2009.

(5) Will any of the collaborations entered into by ANSTO be capable of producing I-123, TI-201 and Ga-67.

(6) How much does ANSTO charge for a dose of I-123, used for scanning patients with thyroid cancer, and how much of this is covered by the Medicare rebate.

(7) Does ANSTO’s sale price include a profit margin on the imported price.

(8) Could the cost impost lead to patients having a less effective diagnosis.

(9) Does the OPAL reactor produce Lutetium 177 (Lu-177).

(10) Why is the ANSTO import of Lu-177 more expensive than the international suppliers’ direct charge.

(11) How much does ANSTO charge for Iodine 133 (I 133), used in the treatment of patients with overactive thyroids and the most lethal forms of thyroid cancer.

(12) Is the maximum Medicare rebate for I 133 $417, and the cost of the material to the administering hospital between $688 and $870.

(13) Is there a Medicare rebate for I 133 MIBG, used in the treatment of children with incurable neuroblastoma and some adults with similarly incurable tumours, produced by ANSTO at a cost to the administering hospital of between $4 862 and $7 893.

(14) Can the Minister confirm that patients with metastatic skeletal cancer that is refractory to all other treatments who are treated with Samarium 153 (Sm) Lexidronam produced at ANSTO are charged a minimum of $3 255, with a Medicare rebate of $2 323.