Bio
Abstract
The Establishment of the First Nuclear Pharmacy in the English-Speaking Caribbean:
2-years post implementation
Author Information
Tracia-gay Kennedy-Dixon, MSc Applied Pharmacology, BPharm, ANP
(CORRESPONDING AUTHOR)
PhD Candidate
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences
University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
Email: traciagay.kennedydixon@uwimona.edu.jm
Tel no: +1 (876) 313-7519
Fax no: +1 (876) 927-3823
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9788-4505
Dr. Mellanie Didier, MB BS, DM (Rad)
Consultant Radiologist & Nuclear Medicine Physician
Department of Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology
University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona
Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
Email: mellanie.dider@gmail.com
Dr Keisha Allen-Dougan, PharmD
Lecturer, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences
University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
Email: keisha.allendougan@uwimona.edu.jm
Dr. Fedrica Paul
Chief Radiopharmacist, Nuclear Medicine Division
Department of Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology
University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona
Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
Email: fedrica.paul@uhwi.gov.jm
Professor Marvin Reid, PhD, MBBS
Deputy Principal
University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
Kingston 7, Jamaica
Email: marvin.reid@uwimona.edu.jm
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4005-9384
Professor Maxine Gossell-Williams, PhD
Deputy Dean – Graduate Studies and Research
Office of the Dean
Faculty of Medical Sciences
University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
Kingston 7, Jamaica
Email: maxine.gossell@uwimona.edu.jm
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4268-5960
The establishment of the first Nuclear Pharmacy in the English-Speaking Caribbean:
2-years post implementation
T Kennedy-Dixon, M. Didier, K. Allen-Dougan, F. Paul, M Reid, M Gossell-Williams
Abstract
Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the services that were carried out by the Nuclear Pharmacy at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in Kingston, Jamaica. It also sought to evaluate the types and frequencies of radiopharmaceuticals that were compounded by the nuclear pharmacists over a 2-year period. Previous studies of this nature have not been done in Jamaica, therefore the researchers sought to gather data which may prove to be useful for the growth of nuclear medicine practice in the country.
Methodology: The review was a non-experimental, retrospective analysis of the records of all nuclear medicine patients who received a radiopharmaceutical during the period June 01, 2022 to May 31, 2024. The data extracted included age, gender, indication for study, radiopharmaceutical administered and concomitant pharmaceuticals being taken by each patient.
Results: The total number of patient doses that were compounded at the facility for the 2-year period was 1135. Thirteen types of nuclear medicine scans were offered to referred patients. The types and frequencies of the most frequently dispensed radiopharmaceuticals were 99mTc-MDP for bone scans (685, 60.4%), 99mTc-DTPA for renal (133, 11.7%) and gastric emptying scans (10, 0.9%), 99mTc-MIBI for parathyroid (76, 6.7%), cardiac (stress) (49, 4.3%) and cardiac (rest) tests (25, 2.2%) and 99mTc-Pertechnetate for thyroid scans (49, 4.3%). Of the 1135 patients, 620, (55%) were female and 515 (45%) were male with the ages ranging from 3 days to 92 years old.
Conclusion: Radiopharmacy services is an essential and integral part of all nuclear medicine facilities. The review of the services at the UHWI demonstrates the need for continuity of this specialized service as it serves the Jamaican population. The data provided may serve to guide future involvements with the International Atomic Energy Agency and will play a significant role in the development of nuclear medicine practice in Jamaica.