Nuclear pharmacy instruction in colleges and schools of pharmacy

Purpose. This study was undertaken to determine the current status of instruction in nuclear pharmacy practice in colleges and schools of pharmacy. Methods. A survey instrument was sent to the academic deans of the 91 colleges and schools of pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council on Pharmaceutical Educators (ACPE) in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The survey consisted of 10 questions about the teaching of nuclear pharmacy practice in the PharmD curriculum. Schools were asked whether instruction was offered and where in the curriculum instruction was included. Results. Seventy-five (82.4%) schools responded. Of these, 45 (60%) offered no instruction in nuclear pharmacy. Among the 30 (40%) that did offer instruction in this area, the majority of instruction was focused on material important for the dispensing of radiopharmaceuticals. Only 10 programs reported teaching nuclear pharmacy content on material relevant to clinical pharmacy practice (eg, pharmacokinetic distribution or drug interactions). Importantly, the current level of instruction represents a sharp decline from 1981 when the first such survey was undertaken. Conclusions. The majority of ACPE-accredited schools of pharmacy do not provide instruction in nuclear pharmacy to their students. Lack of knowledge of these agents is likely to have an adverse impact on the delivery of pharmaceutical care.