Nuclear pharmacy

Nuclear Pharmacy is a specialty area of pharmacy practice dedicated to the compounding and dispensing of radioactive materials for use in nuclear medicine procedures. A specialty area of pharmacy practice is one that requires a concentration of knowledge in a once specific area. The development of nuclear pharmacy as a specialty area followed the development of nuclear medicine as a recognized specialty by the American Medical Association in the early 1970s.

History

Nuclear pharmacy was the first pharmacy specialty established by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties in 1978. In the United States, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) officially recognized nuclear pharmacy as a specialty of pharmacy practice in 1978.

Practice

Nuclear pharmacists are responsible for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals, which are drugs that contain radioactive isotopes. These drugs are used in the diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases. The practice of nuclear pharmacy includes more than the provision of radioactive drugs to physicians. It also includes the responsibility for the safety and efficacy of these drugs.

Education and Training

In order to become a nuclear pharmacist, one must complete a Bachelor's degree in pharmacy or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. After this, they must complete a minimum of 500 hours of instruction in basic radioisotope handling techniques specifically applicable to the use of unsealed sources. This training must be under the supervision of a licensed authorized nuclear pharmacist.

Regulation

Nuclear pharmacy is regulated by both federal and state authorities. In the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are the primary federal agencies that regulate this area of pharmacy practice.

See Also

• Pharmacy
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Food and Drug Administration

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