In 2022, Alberta Health Services (AHS) started the Radiopharmaceutical Services of Alberta (RSA) program. This program combines the Edmonton and Calgary Radiopharmaceutical Centres (ERC and CRC) to manage radiopharmaceutical production in the province.
RSA has two cyclotrons (Class II Nuclear Facilities), cleanroom labs, a team of experts, and a provincial quality management program. These resources enable RSA to produce high-quality radiopharmaceuticals that meet or exceed national and international standards.
RSA supplies diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals to over 20 imaging facilities in Alberta, serving about 75,000 patients yearly.
Through clinical trials, RSA provides access to new radiopharmaceuticals not yet commercially available.
RSA is the only supplier of certain special cold kits in Canada, distributing around 20,000 kits yearly to over 142 hospitals.
RSA operates two cyclotrons in Edmonton, at the Cross Cancer Institute (CCI) and the Medical Isotope and Cyclotron Facility (MICF) at the University of Alberta. These cyclotrons produce various radioisotopes for medical diagnosis and research and can back each other up during maintenance.
A new Radiopharmaceutical Centre (CRC) is under construction next to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary. This facility will house a third cyclotron, significantly increasing radiopharmaceutical production and meeting Alberta's demand for the next 30 years. For more information, visit Calgary Radiopharmaceutical Centre.
View an assortment of images from our Medical Isotope & Cyclotron facility showcasing the machinery operated within it, compounding cleanrooms, and witness our Radiopharmaceutical centre in action.
What are Radiopharmaceuticals?|What is a Radiopharmacy?|What is a Cyclotron?|Are Cyclotrons Safe?|Learn More
Radiopharmaceuticals are special radioactive drugs that help diagnose and treat conditions like cancers, bone disease, strokes, epilepsy, or dementia. They are used in procedures such as PET and SPECT scans to show how tissues and organs are functioning.
A radiopharmacy handles and dispenses radioactive materials used in medical imaging, like PET and SPECT scans. They ensure the safe preparation, storage, and distribution of these radiopharmaceuticals, following strict safety regulations.
A cyclotron is a machine that accelerates charged particles in a circular path using magnets and electric fields to produce radioactive isotopes. These isotopes are used in radiopharmaceuticals for medical imaging, therapy, and research, playing a vital role in cancer care.
Yes. Cyclotrons use clean technology and can be safely shut down, unlike nuclear reactors. A robust radiation safety program is integral to cyclotron operation and required for CNSC licensing.
Cyclotrons do not use nuclear material to produce radioactivity, avoiding the radiation safety issues of reactors. Facilities with cyclotrons are operated by trained personnel following strict safety protocols, with multiple levels of shielding, protection, and monitoring. They also have regular maintenance, proper training, regulatory compliance, strict security access, and an emergency response plan to ensure safe operation. The cyclotron itself has built-in safety interlock systems to prevent operation if safety systems are not engaged.
The cyclotrons operate under a Class II Nuclear Facility license issued to AHS by the CNSC. The cyclotrons operate under a Class II Nuclear Facility license issued to AHS by the CNSC: Health and safety, Security, Environmental impacts, Issues related to the lifecycle of the facility.
![Making 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) is a radioactive form of glucose used in positron emission tomography (PET) scans that helps find cancer in the body.](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/di/if-di-rsa-gallery-6.jpg)
