What is the main purpose of a nuclear pharmacy?

The main purpose of a nuclear pharmacy is to provide patient-oriented services that specifically involve radiopharmaceuticals. These substances are utilized in diagnostic imaging and therapeutic procedures, playing a critical role in modern medicine, particularly in the field of nuclear medicine. Nuclear pharmacies prepare, dispense, and provide information about radiopharmaceuticals to ensure their safe and effective use in patient care. This includes compounding personalized doses and delivering them to healthcare providers, thereby directly impacting patient diagnosis and treatment.

Contrastingly, the other options focus on aspects that are not central to the function of a nuclear pharmacy. Financial profit from sales may be a consideration for any business, including pharmacies, but it is not the primary purpose. Research and development of new drugs typically falls under pharmaceutical companies rather than specialized nuclear pharmacies. Lastly, while distribution of over-the-counter medications is a common pharmacy practice, it does not align with the specialized services and expertise required in handling and preparing radiopharmaceuticals.