Radiopharmaceuticals are the radioactive substances or radioactive drugs for diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. Radiopharmaceuticals are composed of 2 parts: Radionuclide + Pharmaceutical Radiopharmacy/Radionuclide laboratory is a controlled area & access will be restricted. Only properly trained staff should be allowed to work in radionuclide laboratory. Protective equipments should be used to reduce staff dose.

1. Course: Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy
Course Code: 20225/ ER20-25T
Chapter No: 06
HSBPVT’s
Parikrama Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kashti.
Topic- Radiopharmaceuticals
Ms. Sathe Komal P.
Lecturer,
HSBPVT's, Parikrama Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kashti.
Vision: To develop as a center for pharmaceutical education by providing knowledge,
skills & attitude in our students to make them proficient in pharmaceutical sciences.

2. Radiopharmaceuticals
Radiopharmaceuticals are the radioactive substances or radioactive
drugs for diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.
OR
Radiopharmaceuticals are medicinal formulations containing
radioisotopes which are safe for administration in humans for diagnosis
or for therapy.
Examples-
Ga-67 citrate,
Tl-201 chloride,
Xe-133 gas,
51Cr-sodium chromate

3. Radiopharmaceuticals are composed of 2 parts:
Radionuclide + Pharmaceutical
A radionuclide (radioactive nuclide, radioisotope or radioactive
isotope) is a nuclide that has excess nuclear energy, making it
unstable.
A radionuclide may decay by emitting different types of ionizing
radiation: Alpha (α), beta (β) & gamma (γ) radiations.
The basic unit for measurement of radioactivity is Curie.

4. Preparing & Dispensing of radiopharmaceuticals
Radiopharmacy/Radionuclide laboratory is a controlled area & access
will be restricted.
Only properly trained staff should be allowed to work in radionuclide
laboratory.
1. Personnel monitoring
Operator should wear personal dosimeter (TLD- Thermoluminescent
Dosimeter, film badge, electronic dosimeter. )
2. Protective clothing
 Before beginning the work the staff
should wash the hands thoroughly.

5.  They should wear gloves, protective coats &
gowns
 After handling the radioactive materials, the
gloves
should be removed & disposed of before
touching
any other material in the laboratory.
 Hands should be washed after removing the
gloves.
 After removal, the disposable gowns should
be
stored as radioactive waste.

6. 3. Protective equipments
Protective equipments should be used to reduce staff dose.
Equipments
Long handed tongs & forceps
Syringe shields
Vial shields
Shielded syringe carriers
Decontamination kit
Long handed tongs & forceps

7. Syringe & Vial shields
Decontamination kit

8. 4. Work Procedure

9. 5. Reconstitution of pharmaceuticals

12. Labeling of Radiopharmaceuticals

13. Collection & Disposal of Radioactive waste
A standard waste management procedure should be followed.
Non-radioactive waste should be separated from radioactive waste.
Shielded waste bins should be lined with plastic liners that can be
easily removed when full.
The waste bin at workstation be emptied before starting work when
the waste has decayed overnight.
The waste bins should be closed, marked as radioactive, dated &
removed to radioactive waste store.
All waste bins should be securely stored & monitored regularly.
Once the radioactivity decayed, it should be disposed off.