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Platinum 2006, Johnson Matthey’s annual market review of supply and demand for the platinum group metals, carried a Special Feature on ‘Other Applications for Platinum’, which includes Biomedical Uses. This category includes uses ranging from anti-cancer drugs to components for a variety of medical devices.

It was estimated that just over 100,000 troy oz (around 3 tonnes) platinum was used by the biomedical sector in 2005.

As a rough estimate, around a quarter of the total demand for biomedical uses in 2005 is thought to have been for anti-cancer drugs, amounting to less than 1 tonne.

The total demand for platinum in 2005 was approximately 6,690,000 troy oz (around 208 tonnes). This means that demand for platinum for use in anti-cancer drugs was roughly 0.4% of the total demand.

More information on supply and demand for all the pgms is available through the Platinum Today website.

Answer posted 23 April 2007