Covidien Mo99 Calendar Update

Dear Nuclear Medicine Professional,

As September approaches, Covidien continues its efforts to assure the highest level of molybdenum 99 (Mo 99) possible to meet your patient needs and offset potential shortages. The Canadian National Research Universal (NRU) reactor and Dutch High Flux Reactor (HFR) recently adjusted their expected returns to service. Latest estimates from NRU1 cite a mid-August startup, and early September for HFR2. In both cases, resulting Mo 99 supply for technetium 99m (Tc 99m) generator production is expected several days after the reactors are back online. In addition, the Belgian BR2 and French Osiris reactors are scheduled to be offline for planned maintenance for the majority of September.

Covidien has successfully secured additional Mo 99 production cycles from the Polish Maria Reactor in August and September. We have also obtained added Mo 99 from the other operating Mo 99 suppliers for both months. Once HFR returns to service, it will resume its role as a robust Covidien supplier. We are also in communication with NRU’s Mo 99 processor to obtain the maximum supplemental supply available when it is back online, which may be at an extraordinary cost to us.

Covidien’s projected production of Tc 99m generators in the Americas is reflected below in a revised August daily calendar, showing some slight improvements. As a reminder, those days shown as green may indicate some extra generator production beyond standing orders, which could benefit particularly challenging days beyond. A weekly estimate for September is also shown, and will be revised to a daily view when new information is available. Projections are, as always, subject to change.

Increased thallium Tl 201 for those procedures where it can be a clinically appropriate substitute will continue to be available within our supply capacity as the Mo 99 shortage remains in effect. You are encouraged to interact frequently with your Covidien representative to ensure your thallium needs are known.

We are committed to frequent communication when new updates are available. Please visit us at www.covidien.com/Mo99supply, where you can learn how to download a convenient new application or “app” for iPhone®3, iPad®3 and BlackBerry®4, providing you with easy access to Covidien’s most current Mo 99 calendars and communications.

Sincerely,

Elaine E. Haynes, RPh Vice President & General Manager, U.S. Commercial Operations, Imaging

¹AECL provides update on NRU activities (last accessed 8/4/10) http://www.aecl.ca/NewsRoom/Community_Bulletins/100804.htm

²HFR Updates (last accessed 8/4/10) http://www.nrg.eu/hfr-repair/hfr-updates/

³Registered trademarks of Apple Inc.

⁴Registered trademark of Research in Motion Inc.