Radioisotope production and radioactivity standards

The Pretoria cyclotron was closed down as planned on 16 November 1988, and the routine production of some medical radioisotopes was transferred without interruption to the Faure facilities. The switch-over took place smoothly apart from some inevitable teething problems. The main aim during the past year has been to get the new equipment, facilities and production procedures ready for the routine production programme. The control systems, target-preparation and target-handling facilities, cooling systems and hot cells were completed and commissioned. The chemical processing and radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities were also established. Routine production of 67Ga-citrate, 81Rb/81mKr generators and 123I-sodium iodide was started. Studies and development work were carried out on the production of 67Ga, 81Rb using a gaseous target, 111In, 123I-labelled compounds such as 123I-hippurate, 123I-MIBG, 123I-IAMP and 123I-IPPA as well as 201Tl. Further bio-evaluation studies were performed on 123I-hippurate and 123I-MIBG, and liason with the Medicines Control Council concerning registration of new radioisotope products as medicines was continued. 6 figs., 3 tabs., 7 refs