$17.9 million refurbishment and extension to ANSTO’s radiopharmaceuticals production facility

A $17.9 million(AUD) refurbishment and extension to ANSTO’s radiopharmaceuticals production facility will commence following a special sod-turning by the Federal Minister for Science, Mr Peter McGauran, next week.

The extensions, in conjunction with the opening of the Replacement Research Reactor in 2005-06, will allow ANSTO to meet the projected increases in patient demand for radiopharmaceuticals over the next 30 years, providing state-of-the-art working conditions in the process.

ANSTO supplies over 70 per cent of the radiopharmaceuticals used in Australian nuclear medicine procedures. This figure is set to increase with the new facilities. In addition, once the new research reactor is on line in 2005-06, ANSTO will be able to produce a broader range of radiopharmaceuticals not currently available to the Australian public.

The refurbishment and extension is due to be completed in 2006.