OTTAWA - A special adviser has been appointed to help the federal government through the isotope crisis.
Dr. Sandy McEwan will advise Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq on alternatives to radioactive isotopes and act as a public face for the month-long shortage.
McEwan is the chair of the University of Alberta's department of oncology. He has previously advised Health Canada on medical isotopes, and is the past-president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine.
"Dr. McEwan is an internationally respected expert on nuclear medicine and also has a thorough understanding of the Canadian health-care system, as well as Health Canada's regulatory powers and responsibilities," Aglukkaq said in a statement.
"His unique combination of qualifications will be of great assistance to me and our partners as we continue to develop mitigation strategies and options to address the shortage."
There has been a shortage of the medical isotopes used in cancer and heart scans since Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. shut down its reactor at Chalk River, Ont., last month.
Officials expect the reactor to be out of commission for at least three months -- possibly much longer.
The aging Chalk River reactor makes a third of the world's supply of medical isotopes.
