1. Archana B. Chavhan
M.Pharm (QA)
KYDSCT’S COLLEGE OF PHARMACY,
SAKEGAON,BHUSAWAL

2. They are radioactive substances or radioactive medications for
diagnostic & therapeutic intervention
Radiopharmaceutical are medicinal formulations containing
radioisotopes which are safe for organization in people for
analysis or for treatment
Usually radiopharmaceuticals contain at least 2major
components;
1. Radionuclide that provides the desired radiation
characteristics &
2. Chemical compound with structural or chemical properties
that determine the physiological behavior of
radiopharmaceutical

3. IDEAL PROPERTIES OF RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS
Short life isotopes
Pure gamma emitter
Localization on desired tissue
Easy preparation

4. Radiation is an inherent characteristic of all radiopharmaceuticals.
A radiopharmaceutical can be as simple as radioactive elements such as 133Xe, a simple salt such
as 131 [Na].
Decay of radionuclide:
Radionuclides are unstable nuclei that are stabilized upon radioactive decay.
A radionuclide may decay by emitting different types of ionizing radiations;

5.  Low penetrating power
 Positively charged
 Detected by strong magnesium field
 Heavy metals emits these rays
 Greater penetrating power than alpha rays
 Have less ionizing power
 Have negligible mass
 Two types;
Positrons
negatrons
 More penetrating power than alpha & beta rays
 No mass no charge
 Have poor ionizing power
 Same characters as that of X-rays

7. RADIOPHARMACY
Radio pharmacy would normally be designated as a controlled area
and access will be restricted.
3 important parameters need to be considered for protecting
operators;
Distance between operator & source
Time spent manipulating the source
Amount of shielding used to reduce dose rate from the source

8. Applications of
radioisotopes
In cancer or tumor therapy
In diagnosis
Biological & medicinal research
For sterilization of pharmaceutical / surgical instruments

9. Clinical applications
Gold (198Au) in the carcinoma of uterus
Sodium phosphate (32P) used to treat polycythemia & leukemia
Sodium iodide(131I) in treatment of thyroid disorders
Nerve brain scans serve two main purposes: To evaluate changes in the blood brain
barrier and to assess cerebral blood flow.
Radiopharmaceuticals allow both static and dynamic evaluation of the kidneys.
Nuclear imaging studies of the heart may be static or dynamic.

10. Role of Radio pharmacist
• The radio pharmacist’s main responsibility is the procurement,
preparation, quality control and supply of radio-
pharmaceuticals.
• Radio pharmacists also have a clinical role to play. E.g.
providing advice on the use of radiopharmaceuticals and having
input to patient care in the nuclear medicine department.
• In addition they may provide education and training to their own
staff as well as other health care professions. There is a scope
to get involved in the research and development of new radio-
pharmaceuticals including clinical trials.

11. Labelling of Radioactive Substances
• Every radiopharmaceutical preparation must comply with the
labelling requirements established under Good Manufacturing
Practice.
• The label on the primary container should include:
• A statement that the product is radioactive or the
• international symbol for radioactivity
• •The name of the radiopharmaceutical preparation
• •The route of administration;
• •The expiry date and, where necessary, time;
• •The batch (lot) number assigned by the manufacturer;
• •For solutions, the total volume.

12. Storage of radipopharmaceuticals
• Radiopharmaceuticals should be kept in well-closed containers and
stored in an area assigned for the purpose
• Care should be taken to comply with national regulations for protection
against ionizing radiation.
• Because of the short life of the radiopharmaceuticals the nuclear
pharmacist will order the drug directly from manufacturer usually
through over night delivery.
• In addition knowledge of shipping time / delivery schedules and radio
active decay associated loss should be calculated while ordering radio
pharmaceuticals.

13. • Isotope storage areas should be as per the rules, there should be separate
labs for the manipulation and preparation of radio pharmaceutical dosage
and another for calibration of doses, treatment room must also be different
• Store in an airtight, suitable labeled containers shielded by lead bricks to
protect personnel from exposure to primary or secondary emissions and that
complies with national and international regulations concerning the storage
of radioactive substances.
• During storage, containers may darken due to irradiation. Such darkening
does not necessarily involve deterioration of the preparations.
Radiopharmaceuticals intended for parental use should be stored in such a
manner so that pharmaceutical purity of the product is maintained.

14. Disposal of radioactive waste
NEAR SURFACE DISPOSAL:
• Disposal in a facility consisting of engineered channels or vaults constructed on the ground
surface or up to few tens of meters below ground level.
• These type of wastes loses most or all of its radioactivity within 300 years.
It includes contaminated equipment from the operation of nuclear power
plant like clothing, rags, tools and equipment.
• Very short-lived low-level radioactive waste such as that from hospitals, universities and
industry generally contains only small amounts of radioactive materials with short half-lives.
This means that radioactivity decays away in hours or days.

15. DISPOSAL OF INTERMEDIATE LEVEL WASTE
⚫ Depending on its characteristics, intermediate level radioactive wastes can be
disposed in facilities of different types.
• Disposal could be by emplacement in a facility constructed in caves, vaults or silos at
least few hundred meters below the ground level. • Intermediate level radioactive
wastes require long-term management.
• These are much bulkier materials and are first sealed in steel drums and are encased
in concrete trenches.

16. DEEP BOREHOLES
⚫ Deep borehole disposal is the concept of disposing high-level radioactive waste from
nuclear reactors in extremely deep boreholes instead of in more traditional deep
geological repositories that are excavated like mines.
⚫ Similar concept to geological repositories.
⚫ Kilometers deep rather then hundreds of meters. • Provide further insulation from
ground water.