Nuclear Pharmacy Pathway
Faculty
- Michael Jay, Ph.D. - Pathway Coordinator
What does the nuclear pharmacist do?
Radioactive materials have been administered to patients for the purpose of diagnosing specific diseases for over 50 years. The field of nuclear pharmacy, which is involved in the preparation of unit-dose diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, began to expand about 20-25 years ago with the development of the molybdenum-technetium generator. There are now a number of radiopharmaceuticals that are used to provide anatomical and functional information on patients in a totally noninvasive manner. Images generated by these radiopharmaceuticals can be acquired and processed in a number of ways, including tomographically (analogous to CT scanning) and is frequently more sensitive than the corresponding radiographically generated image (i.e., X-rays).
Nuclear pharmacists function in many of the same ways that other pharmacists do:
- They prepare unit dose medications using sterile technique.
- They consult with other health care professionals (primarily nuclear medicine physicians and nuclear medicine technologists) regarding appropriate use of radiopharmaceutical agents, drug interactions, etc.
The nuclear pharmacist is well trained in the handling of radioactive materials. In order to practice as a nuclear pharmacist, one must obtain training sufficient to be named an authorized user by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and be able to serve as a Radiation Safety Officer.
The nuclear pharmacy pathway option is designed to introduce pharmacy students to this sector of pharmacy as a career.
Intended Outcomes
To gain sufficient knowledge in the area of radiation sciences and the detection of radioactivity in order to understand the rational basis for the selection of radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals.
To integrate knowledge in the area of therapeutics in order to make judgments regarding the use and of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, and how drugs or formulation aspects can alter the distribution of these agents.
To be able to calculate absorbed radiation doses for patients receiving radiopharmaceuticals.
To locate literature regarding radiopharmaceuticals and be able to describe it to patients, pharmacists and other health care providers.
Suggested Courses
Professional Year 2
CHE 520 Radiochemistry. (3)
CHE 521 Radiochemistry Labratory. (1-2)
PHR 530 Radiopharmaceutics. (3)
Professional Year 3
PHR 826 Introduction to Nuclear Pharmacy. (3)
This will be an independent study course involving hands-on experience at a
nuclear pharmacy as well as participation in image reading sessions in a
nuclear medicine department.
Professional Year 4
A Nuclear Pharmacy Rotation will be organized at UK Hospital, the Veterans
Administration Medical Center, and at a commercial nuclear pharmacy.