[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 46 (Thursday, March 15, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   FIRST DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF MOLY99 BY NORTH STAR NUCLEAR MEDICINE

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. MARK POCAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2018

  Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, on February 8, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration (FDA) approved the first domestic production of Moly99 
by North Star Nuclear Medicine, which is located in Beloit, Wisconsin. 
Moly99 is the key substance used in 50,000 daily procedures using 
nuclear medicine to diagnose a variety of illness.
  For many years, the United States has been dependent on foreign 
sources using nuclear fission offshore. These reactors, located in 
Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Australia, are old and have 
been the subject of many disruptions of supply causing shortages.
  Working with help from the U.S. Department of Energy and the 
cooperation of the FDA, North Star has developed a system to produce 
Moly99 without any use of uranium, resulting in little waste and no 
nuclear waste.
  I want to congratulate George Messina, North Star's CEO, and his 130 
employees, located in the cities of Beloit and Madison, on their 
achievement. Nuclear medicine is vital to the diagnosis and cure of 
many diseases. Thanks to the dedication and perseverance of this 
Wisconsin company, consumers will have access to the first domestic 
supply of this much needed medicine.

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