Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable senator’s question is as follows:

(1) The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) ceased production of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG at the National Medical Cyclotron (NMC) in 2005. PETNet Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of ANSTO, began producing FDG in August 2009.

(2) Questions regarding the Department of Health and Ageing’s PET data collection program should be directed to the Minister for Health.

(3) Yes, together with a hospital-based cyclotron.

(4) This question should be directed to the Minister for Health.

(5) ANSTO based its decision to commence production of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) through PETNET on the same information that would have been available to all commercial suppliers.

(6) No.

(7) This question should be raised with the Department of Health and Ageing..

(8) No.

(10) By 2007, demand for PET scans was growing steadily. Much of the FDG used in NSW was sourced from Melbourne (although one Sydney hospital had its own cyclotron, which at that time only provided for its own needs). Given the short half-life of FDG and increasing demand for this important diagnostic agent, supply from other Australian cities was posing transportation challenges. The ANSTO Board therefore decided to approve the investment to create a subsidiary, PETNet Solutions Australia, for the purpose of producing FDG.

(11) Nothing.