Looming Air Canada strike could impact cancer treatment in B.C.

The BC Health Ministry says it is concerned about transporting materials used in diagnostic testing and cancer treatments as most of these shipments are handled by Air Canada.

It says Air Canada is responsible for transporting a significant portion of radiopharmaceuticals and isotopes.

Radioisotopes have a very short half life meaning they decay rapidly, losing their effectiveness.

That is a problem as the corporation and CUPE remain hostile just hours before the strike deadline of 10 p.m. Friday.

Air Canada has warned it is cancelling around 500 flights in anticipation of the looming work stoppage, with a full halt expected to start Saturday.

But while passengers have the right to make changes to their travel plans and compensation, finding alternatives for the transportation of medical supplies and radiopharmaceuticals could prove more difficult.

“The health authorities are working closely with the suppliers to determine the impact, and we are waiting on further information,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement. “So far two of the three suppliers have identified alternative carriers.”

The statement comes as Air Canada confirmed it was suspending bookings for new medical shipments.

Mahesh Nagarajan, a UBC professor who specializes in operations and logistics, told 1130 NewsRadio that while there may be disruptions, healthcare authorities typically have contingency plans in place.

“Given the importance of these drugs, I suspect the government has a few different instruments to be able to get them to where they are needed,” he said.

BC Cancer did not comment on the effect on radiopharmaceuticals and isotopes but did say that its pharmacy division receives most of its medications from manufacturers who use ground transport.

To date, the organization says it has not received any notification from any suppliers regarding delivering medications to the BC Cancer pharmacy.

The Ministry of Health also says there is no anticipated impacts to the delivery of temperature-controlled vaccines which are mostly transported by ground. The small number of vaccines that are shipped by air are handled by other carriers, it says.