Reviewer: Rahmat M. Talukder, PhD, RPh (The University of Texas at Tyler)
Description: This revised and updated fourth edition provides a comprehensive overview of radiopharmaceuticals and their use in modern medicine. This world-class text is developed based on the current understanding of relevant scientific principles with reference to the primary sources and is appropriately illustrated. Contents are rearranged and expanded with an additional three chapters as compared to the third edition.
Purpose: This book is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of radiopharmaceuticals and their use in nuclear medicine. Radiopharmaceuticals have been used for the past several decades. In certain cases, diagnostic imaging in conjunction with radiopharmaceuticals affords clinicians to provide patient-specific therapy. Thus, a comprehensive reference is much needed for clinicians working in the field of radiopharmaceuticals. The previous editions of this book have been offering benefits to concerned professionals. Similarly, this fourth edition is expected to serve its purpose as well.
Audience: The authors expect nuclear pharmacy practitioners and individuals preparing for the BPS Board Certified Nuclear Pharmacy examination to benefit from this reference. Written by experts in the field of nuclear medicine, this fourth edition, like previous editions, is expected to be well accepted by the target audience.
Features: This reference has 33 chapters that are organized in six sections to cover a wide range of topics related to radiopharmaceuticals. The first section presents introductory materials and a short but interesting chapter on historical perspectives of radiopharmaceuticals. The next section focuses on the principles of radioactivity, methods of radionuclide production, and the interaction of radiation with matter. Further, the section succinctly presents useful information on radiation risk and safety. Another section deals with topics related to nuclear pharmacy practice, preparation, and quality control radiopharmaceuticals. The regulatory aspects of nuclear pharmacy practice are well presented in three chapters. Readers will find practical information on licensing, regulatory control, guidelines, and practice standard of nuclear pharmacy in those chapters. In that context, the authors have briefly discussed the USP <823>, 21 CFR-Part 212, and NRC requirements. The concluding section presents various applications of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine. Readers will find useful information on therapeutic and diagnostic applications of radionuclides in CNS, cardiac, gastrointestinal, skeletal, urinary, and other conditions. The chapter that discusses the quality control of radiopharmaceuticals is handy and expected to be well utilized by practicing pharmacists. While this reference covers all major topics related to radiopharmaceuticals, an appendix of abbreviations used in the book would be useful to readers.
Assessment: This book provides a comprehensive overview of technology for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals and their therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Written by experts in the field, this fourth edition also includes updated information on regulatory aspects related to the production and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals. There are several books in the marketplace related to the subject matter. The authors of this book, however, have taken a holistic approach to select and present the topics. This reference, therefore, is an invaluable source of information for students and professionals working in nuclear pharmacy and nuclear medicine specialties.
