Syllabus

PHB
BS 5971

Independdent Study
S –
Introd
duction to
Nuuclearr Pharrmacyy

S
Submitted by
y:

Jeffrey J. Chrristoff, Ph.D.

J
J
January 12, 2012
2
 PHBS 5971 – Independent Study - Introduction to Nuclear Pharmacy
Jeffrey J. Christoff, Ph.D.
e-mail address: j-christoff.1@onu.edu

Course Description:

Survey of the basic and clinical components of this specialty practice. Content includes radiation physics
and exposure, exploration of the properties, regulation, preparation, and use of diagnostic and therapeutic
radiopharmaceuticals that target specific systems of the body. Off campus site visits are required.

Prerequisites:

P3 standing or instructor permission.

Goals and Objectives:

The goal of this course is to provide the students with an introduction to nuclear pharmacy concepts in
order to stimulate interest for further study of this niche practice.

1. Explain the difference between a conventional pharmaceutical and a radiopharmaceutical.

2. Discuss concepts radioactivity and the dosimetry levels associated with the medical use of
radiopharmaceuticals.

3. Discuss the basic techniques of minimizing radiation exposure.

4. Explain the rationale use of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

5. Be able to provide information to the community regarding some of the more common uses of
radiopharmaceuticals.

6. Introduce the application of radiopharmaceuticals to specific disease states based on organ systems
in order to stimulate interest for further study of this niche practice.

7. Become familiar with fundamental concepts related to the operation of a nuclear pharmacy including
the preparation and dispensing of selected radiopharmaceuticals.

8. Become familiar with fundamental concepts related to the operation of a nuclear medicine department
including procedures associated with the administration of selected radiopharmaceuticals and the
methods utilized in the application of selected radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat various
disease states.

9. Provide a hands-on opportunity to experience routine activities in a nuclear pharmacy.

Format (2+2):

2 hours lecture per week – mostly asynchronous lectures via WebCT/MediaSite; there will be limited face-
to-face lecture/discussion in the traditional classroom during the course
2 hours per lab session (HPPEC 267L)
1 site visit to an operating nuclear pharmacy is required.
1 site visit to a facility performing nuclear medicine procedures is required
Assessments:

WebCT self-assessment quizzes 9 quizzes 100 points

(50 points for content on Exam #1)
(50 points for content on Exam #2)
Site Visit Forms 25 points per completed site visit form 50 points
WebCT Exam #1 radiation physics, instrumentation, and various basic 100 points
science concepts
WebCT Exam #2 clinical concepts of radiopharmaceuticals 100 points
Laboratory Final (take home) 50 points

Other Earned Points:

Lab Assessments 100 points

a. survey/rate meter operation (5 points)

b. dose calibrator operation (5 points)
c. gamma well counter operation (5 points)
d. generator elution (5 points)
e. MDP & CardioLite kit preparation exercises (20 points)
f. MDP, Choletec, CardioLite and NaTcO4 quality control exercises (20 points)
g. sterility & pyrogenicity testing (10 points)
h. patient dose preparation (10 points)
i. shipping containers check-in/check-out (10 points)
j math exercises (10 points, completed outside of lab sessions)

Total = 500 points available to be earned

Grading Penalties:

Inability to document required site visits = reduction of one letter grade per occurrence

Grading Scale: A (450-500 points), B (400-449.999), C (350-399.999), F (less than 350). The grading
scale may be adjusted in the student’s favor at the discretion of the course coordinator.

Textbook: - none required (one copy of the latter two texts are on reserve in the library)

Nuclear Pharmacy: Concepts and Applications in Nuclear Pharmacy, 1st ed., Smith, B.T.,
Ed.; Pharmaceutical Press: London, 2010.
ISBN: 978 0 85369 866 1
http://www.pharmpress.com ($49.99 Jan 2012)

Radiopharmaceuticals in Nuclear Pharmacy and Nuclear Medicine, 3nd ed., Kowalsky,

R.J. Falen, S.W., Eds.; American Pharmacists Association: Washington, DC, 2011.
ISBN: 978-1-58212-118-5
www.pharmacist.com, Member Price: ($153.50 Jan 2012), Nonmember Price: ($191.95)

with Nuclear Pharmacy Quick Reference ($159.95 Jan 2012) ISBN: 978-1-58212-151-2

Fundamentals of Nuclear Pharmacy, 6th ed., Saha, G.B. Springer-Verlag: New York, 2010.
ISBN 978-1-4419-5859-4
www.springeronline.com ($89.95 Jan 2012)
The following published book chapter is posted in WebCT:

Diagnostic Imaging Agents, Christoff, J. Wilson and Gisvold’s Textbook of Organic, Medicinal, and
Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 12th edition, J. H. Block, J.M. Beale, Jr., Eds. Lippincott, Williams &
Wilkins, 2010.

Timeline: see calendar for Nuclear Pharmacy elective – Spring 2012

Didactic component

Date of meeting (place) Topic

or Due Date for Assessments
Thurs Jan 12 or Tues Jan 17 Intro to the Course - Resources for Nuclear Pharmacy
HPPEC 161 or RE 100
Mon 1/30 (Web CT) Unit 1 - The Atom/Radioactive Decay
Mon 2/6 (WebCT) Unit 2 - Radiation Safety: Practitioners and Patients
Mon 2/13 (WebCT) Unit 3 - Production, Detection, and Quality Control of Radionuclides
Mon 2/20 (WebCT) Unit 4 - 99mTc and Other Radiopharmaceuticals of Interest
Mon 2/27 (WebCT) Unit 5 - PET, CT, MRI and Ultrasound Imaging
Wed 2/29 (WebCT) Examination #1 – Basic Science Concepts
arrange 2 hour window (asynchronous WebCT examination)
Mon 3/19 (WebCT) Unit 6 - Cardiovascular Imaging
Mon 3/26 (WebCT) Unit 7 - Pulmonary & CNS Imaging
Mon 4/2 (WebCT) Unit 8 - Skeletal/Bone Marrow, Renal, Liver/Gastrointestinal Imaging
Mon 4/16 (WebCT) Unit 9 - Thyroid, Infection/Inflammation, and Oncology Imaging
Wed 4/25 (WebCT) Examination #2 – Clinical Concepts
arrange 2 hour window (asynchronous WebCT examination)
Thurs 5/10 @ 12.p.m. Lab Final – asynchronous, independent, written lab final
(take-home exam deadline) (available Tues 5/1 12 p.m.)

Laboratory component (HPPEC 267L from 3:00 - 4:50 p.m. unless otherwise arranged)
additional laboratory opportunities may be arranged for individual instruction provided a
teaching assistant (with prior or current experience as a nuclear pharmacy intern) is
assigned to Dr. Christoff as either a rotation student or as an independent study student

~ half of the class will volunteer or be assigned to the Thursday lab (Group A)
~ half of the class will volunteer or be assigned to the Tuesday lab (Group B)

Date Topic
Thurs 1/12 or Tues 1/17 Orientation to lab following introduction to Course in HPPEC 158
Thurs 1/19 or Tues 1/24 Radiation Safety Training and Demonstrations – survey/rate meters, dose
calibrators, kit prep, quality control, sterility & pyrogenicity testing, dose
drawing techniques – (cold lab)
Thurs 1/26 or Tues 1/31 Practice techniques with cold materials
Thurs 2/2 or Tues 2/7 Practice techniques with cold materials
Thurs 2/9 or Tues 2/14 Practice techniques with cold materials
Thurs 2/16 or Tues 2/21 Practice techniques with cold materials
Thurs 2/23 or Tues 2/28 no lab (off to compensate for site visits)
Thurs 3/1 no lab (off to compensate for site visits)
spring break spring break
Tues 3/13 no lab (Dr. Christoff at APhA?)
 Date Topic
Thurs 3/15 or Tues 3/20 Hot Lab – Assessments and/or continued practice with radioactive materials
Thurs 3/22 or Tues 3/27 Hot Lab – Assessments and/or continued practice with radioactive materials
Thurs 3/29 or Tues 4/3 Hot Lab – Assessments and/or continued practice with radioactive materials
Thurs 4/5 Easter recess
Tues 4/10 or Thurs 4/12 Hot Lab – Assessments and/or continued practice with radioactive materials
Tues 4/17 or Thurs 4/19 Hot Lab – Assessments and/or continued practice with radioactive materials
Tues 4/24 or Thurs 4/26 open lab if additional time is needed
Tues 5/1 or Thurs 5/3 no lab (off to compensate for site visits)
Tues 5/8 or Thurs 5/10 No lab - Finals week

Course Evaluations:

Course evaluations will be completed as per the College’s policy and procedures.

Exam Conduct:

Nonessential materials are NOT allowed at the students’ computer workstation during WebCT
examinations (e.g., books, notes, note cards, PDAs or related technological devices, etc.). The
student is not permitted to access any printed, electronic or other available resource of nuclear
pharmacy while logged in to WebCT while completing the online examination.
(**NOTE** Calculators and scratch paper/pencil are permitted)

Please note the only calculator you will be permitted to use during examinations is a Casio fx-
300MSPlus or an equivalent calculator approved that was approved for use in the Pharmaceutical
Sciences module or for the current academic year. Use of any other calculator or any other electronic
device will be interpreted as evidence of dishonesty.

DISHONESTY of any sort will absolutely NOT be tolerated. Violations will be addressed with the
most severe of consequences allowed by the established policies of the College and the University.

Student Academic Conduct:

Academic Conduct Policies are defined by the Code of Student Academic Conduct and infractions
will be handled according to the policies therein. The Code may be found at:
http://www.onu.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/student_handbook07.pdf

Students with Learning Disabilities

In accordance with University policy, students who have a documented learning disability and require
academic accommodations should contact the course instructor at the beginning of the course or as
soon as possible when charged with an assignment for which an accommodation may be required.
Students with learning disabilities must first verify their qualification for accommodations through
Pharmacy Student Services.