Covidien Presented Prestigious H.A.B. Dunning Award
Covidien is not only a major worldwide manufacturer of nuclear medicine products with its facilities in St. Louis, MO and the Netherlands; it is a major network of Radiopharmacies.
The Covidien Radiopharmacies first started in 1983 with the opening of the Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and Philadelphia facilities. Today, with 37 facilities in the United States and one in London, England, the Radiopharmacy network supplies patient-specific unit-dose radiopharmaceuticals to hospitals and clinics in their service area. Two or more licensed pharmacists having specialized training in radiopharmaceutical dispensing staff each facility.
The Practice of Nuclear Pharmacy is recognized as a specialty within Pharmacy Practice. The American
Pharmaceutical Association defines it as follows:
The "Practice of Nuclear Pharmacy" means a patient-oriented service that embodies the scientific
knowledge and professional judgement required to improve and promote health through the assurance
of the safe and efficacious use of radiopharmaceuticals and other drugs.
In order for a pharmacist to practice in the field, they are required to have a license to practice pharmacy in that state. Additionally, they must be classified as an "authorized user" on a radioactive materials license (e.g. NRC) and have a minimum of 700 hours total of didactic and clinical experience in the use of radiopharmaceuticals.
Today, close to 90% of all radiopharmaceutical doses originate from a Radiopharmacy. In fact, the Covidien pharmacies consume over 70% of the output of Covidien's St. Louis, MO radiopharmaceutical manufacturing plant.
Our customers rely on us to provide them with patient-specific unit-dose radiopharmaceuticals that are ready to administer at the time they need them. The short life of the products dispensed mandates that an efficient method is used to safely transport the doses to our patients. This is why each Covidien Radiopharmacy operates a delivery service to ensure that the doses are available to the patients who need them, when they need them.
Each facility has a team of specially trained delivery personnel that is familiar with the US Department of Transportation regulations surrounding safe transport of radioactive materials. They are also trained in the safe handling of these materials from a radiological and ergonomic standpoint. They use dedicated vehicles to transport the doses in specially designed "suitcases" or boxes. The packaging utilized to transport our products must meet the US DOT (United States Department of Transportation) specification 7A testing requirements.
Covidien Radiopharmacies are regulated by the following agencies:
- State Board of Pharmacy regulates the Practice of Pharmacy and the licensing of individual pharmacists and facilities.
- US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and their counterpart State agencies regulate the possession, use and handling of radioactive materials.
- US Department of Transportation regulates the movement of radioactive materials in commerce.
- US Environmental Protection Agency regulates the air effluents from a Nuclear Pharmacy.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration is concerned with worker safety.
- Other State Agencies (e.g. Dept of Health, Dept of Labor)
- Local Agencies
If you have any questions or need professional assistance from one of our licensed pharmacists, please contact your local Covidien Radiopharmacy.