96-697. National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine; Receipt of Report on NRC's Medical Use Program

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 1648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-697]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine; Receipt of 
Report on NRC's Medical Use Program

AGENCY: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Report on NRC's medical use program: Notice of receipt.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is publishing for 
public comment a notice of receipt of a prepublication copy of a report 
from the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine (IOM), 
entitled ``Radiation in Medicine: A Need for Regulatory Reform,'' 
prepared as part of an external review of the NRC's medical use 
regulatory program. The goal of the external review was to develop an 
assessment of the adequacy and appropriateness of the current 
regulatory framework for medical use of byproduct material. NRC is 
currently reviewing and analyzing the report. As part of the initial 
review, NRC is soliciting comments on the possible impact of the 
report, to include any views on policy, legislative, rulemaking, and 
guidance issues. There will be additional opportunity for discussion 
during the ongoing analysis of the report.

DATES: Submit comments by April 22, 1996. Comments received after this 
date will be considered, if it is practical to do so, but the 
Commission is able to ensure consideration only for comments received 
on or before this date.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Secretary of the Commission, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, Attention: 
Docketing and Service Branch.
    For a copy of the prepublication report, ``Radiation in Medicine: A 
Need for Regulatory Reform,'' contact: National Academy Press, Office 
of News and Public Information, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20418, or telephone [phone] or (Toll-Free) (800) 
624-6242.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia K. Holahan, Ph.D., U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and 
Safeguards, MS T8F5, Washington, DC 20555, Telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In January 1994, the NRC contracted with the 
National Academy of Sciences, IOM, to conduct an external review of the 
NRC's medical regulatory program. It included a review of the basic 
regulatory rules, policies, practices, and procedures. There were three 
major goals of the study: (1) Examination of the overall risk 
associated with the use of ionizing radiation in medicine; (2) 
examination of the broad policy issues that underlie the regulation of 
the medical uses of radioisotopes; and (3) a critical assessment of the 
current framework for the regulation of the medical uses of byproduct 
material. The NRC was seeking specific recommendations on two major 
issues: (1) A uniform national approach to the regulation of ionizing 
radiation in all medical applications, including consideration of how 
the regulatory authority and responsibility for medical devices sold in 
interstate commerce for application of radiation to human beings should 
be allocated among Federal Government agencies and between the Federal 
and State Governments; and (2) appropriate criteria to measure the 
effectiveness of regulatory program(s) needed to protect public health 
and safety.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 11th day of January, 1996.

Carl J. Paperiello,
Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 96-697 Filed 1-19-96; 8:45 am]
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