But first I have to get into Pharmacy School! (Interview with USC in January, wish me luck!)

I’ve tried to give students and other professionals with an interest in the field a small taste of what we do on a daily basis. This is a great forum for future pharmacists and current practitioners to read about areas of practice that they might not otherwise consider.

I did try to stay as unbiased as possible, but as you pointed out, it’s hard to ignore Cardinal Health’s prominent standing in the industry!

As a Cardinal Health employee, I would also like to expand upon your comments regarding Authorized Nuclear Pharmacist training programs. You are correct that most nuclear pharmacists, either recent graduates or pharmacists from other practice settings, receive their didactic training and required nuclide handling hours while in the employ of a centralized nuclear pharmacy company. What is not made clear is the fact that, unlike most (if not all) other nuclear pharmacy organizations, Cardinal Health operates its own collegiate affiliated ACPE accredited training program rather than outsourcing the task and relying on a pure distance-learning format. In addition, Cardinal Health graduates more Authorized Nuclear Pharmacists than all other programs (including undergraduate programs) combined. We also employ more nuclear pharmacists (and BCNPs) than any other radiopharmaceutical provider.

By the way, many of the tungsten and other compounding tools that are pictured in your write-up look like items that were created by Cardinal Health!

You are absolutely correct; I neglected to mention UPPI’s role in the independent landscape and how they assist with the Triad’s, Music City’s, Biotech’s, etc. in bringing a collective business front.

UPPI’s list of independent pharmacies is far more comprehensive than the one provided by UAMS and I will be sure to incorporate it into the thread as a resource for those interested.

There was a lot of information pertaining to nuclear pharmacy that I left out (from transportation of RAM to more about PET). I appreciate everyone who can contribute to the discussion and share their perspective on a specialty that many students and practitioners know little about.

Thank you for bringing my oversight to attention!

UPPI or United Pharmacy Partners Inc comprises over 100 nuclear pharmacy outlets. This foot print has only one other equally sized competitor and that is Cardinal.

Through our network of pharmacies and the support my organization brings an independent owner, we are a leader in competitive pricing and afford an entrepreneur all the tools to be successful on his own.