Ensuring a reliable supply of medical isotopes for patients at the heart of new partnership
TORONTO – February 9, 2021 – Pacer Air Freight, an independent freight forwarder and leader in delivering life-saving supplies to hospitals and research institutions worldwide, has joined the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC).
The world has always counted on Canada to supply critical life-saving isotopes, but the fragility of our efforts has threatened the critical supply of these materials before and is once again, said Mike Stopay, Pacer Air Freight’s President and CEO. With global trade dynamics changing every day, and since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains in every sector have faced challenges. The isotope sector has not been able to escape this fate either, leading to additional challenges for shipments of these critical materials specifically stemming from air freight transportation.
“Pacer Air Freight is confronting these challenges, and its partnership with the CNIC is another step to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of critical medical isotopes,” Stopay said. “As specialists in time-critical and expedited shipping, our mission is to help companies when the unexpected happens or when the shipping requirements of their products cannot be fulfilled through regular logistics partners.”
Pacer Air Freight has several customers who manufacture radioactive isotopes, which are commonly used in cancer treatment and diagnosis. As the half-life of the isotopes can be as short as six hours, it is crucial that there are no delays or issues when transporting the material from the manufacturing facility to the hospital.
“A specialized freight forwarder like us can provide the dedicated customer service, live tracking and expedite shipping to ensure that the medicine arrives right when the patient needs it for treatment.”
Although the role of radiopharmaceuticals in health care is still a bit of a mystery for many Canadians, it is an area that has a tremendous therapeutic and commercial potential in our country. Canada is already a global leader in radioisotope-based health care technologies, meaning it has the strengths to also become a world leader in related novel therapeutics. “To do so, we must ensure the stability, reliability and redundancy of its supply chain”, said James Scongack, Chair of the CNIC.
“Partnerships like the one we have with Pacer Air Freight reflect part of the solution to ensuring supply chain reliability of isotopes, and more must be done,” Scongack said. “There are other solutions, and the CNIC was created to work with all levels of government and industry to find them. Leveraging existing infrastructure, creating redundancy in supply, and supporting Canada’s isotope industry by developing policies and a strategy that aim to foster competitiveness, supports the promotion and development of isotopes both for export and use in fighting cancer. This will have a significant positive impact on human health across the globe, and will expand Canada’s leadership role internationally.”
This year represents an opportunity for the CNIC, as recent government investments have been made in isotope research through world-class facilities like TRIUMF and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. The participation and commitment of Ontario’s nuclear assets, through organizations such as Bruce Power and Ontario Power Generation, has allowed the eco-system of continued Canadian leadership in isotopes to emerge.
About The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
The CNIC is a coalition of science, health care and nuclear sector organizations to ensure Canada remains a world leader in the production of life-saving isotopes by bringing awareness and supporting long-term policies at the domestic and international level that will save countless lives and support health-care innovation for decades to come. To learn more about the CNIC visit www.CanadianIsotopes.ca and follow us on, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
For more information, please contact:
Andrew Thiele
Director, Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
226.930.1869
canadianisotopes@gmail.com
Pacer Air Freight
Pacer Air Freight is an independent freight forwarder that provides customized logistics solutions for the life sciences and nuclear medicine sectors. From a business operation that started 30 years ago with one van, we have grown into a close-knit team of relentless problem solvers.
Family and a ‘can-do’ attitude are at the core of our philosophy. Our employees and customers are part of our extended family. This is the key to our success, as we strive to stay flexible, innovative and adapt to your needs. We believe that a freight forwarder should fulfill the client’s requirements. We work for you, and we will never say “it can’t be done”! To learn more about our services, please visit www.pacerair.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
For additional information, please contact:
Mike Stopay, Director Canada Office: 905-672-7223 * 108
Email: mike@pacerair.com