Written questions

Radioisotopes: Manufacturing Industries

Lords · Question HL12830 · Tabled 9 Dec 2025 · Department of Health and Social Care · Official record

Answered 18 Dec 2025

Question

Asked by Lord Wigley

To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of radioisotopes used by the NHS in England are imported; and what plans they have to enable radioisotopes to be manufactured in the UK.

Answer

Answered by Baroness Merron, 18 Dec 2025

Medical radioisotopes can be produced in different ways, and the United Kingdom has a comprehensive network of cyclotrons used for radioisotope manufacture. These tend to be placed close to point of use due to the short half-life of these products. The ra...