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<p>A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has identified
one item of correspondence received since 1 August 2018 about alternative arrangements
for breast cancer diagnostic and treatment procedures in the event that there is a
shortage of radioisotopes in the United Kingdom. This figure represents correspondence
received by the Department’s Ministerial correspondence unit only.</p><p> </p><p>We
fully recognise that radioisotopes are vitally important to many people in this country
including breast cancer patients. HM Revenue and Customs already has a process to
identify ‘urgent goods’, such as medical radioisotopes, requiring faster handling
to move through customs and border checks promptly. The Department has well established
processes to manage and mitigate the small number of medicines shortages that may
arise due to manufacturing or distribution issues. These processes include radioisotopes
used in breast cancer diagnostic and treatment procedures.</p><p> </p><p>From January
2019, it became a mandatory requirement that the pharmaceutical industry must report
this information to the Department in a timely manner. Following notification and
risk assessment, the Department’s medicine supply team will continue to work behind
the scenes with relevant stakeholders and use a host of tools to help mitigate and
prevent an issue from impacting patients including the consideration of alternative
treatment options. The Department is not aware of any significant radioisotope shortages
that are currently affecting breast cancer patients.</p>
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