Professional Documents
Culture Documents
revision guidelines designed for use in conjunction with tions, formulas, and abbreviations commonly used in
textbooks and reference books as an aid to guide under- pharmacy.
graduate pharmacy students through their examinations. Overall this book is an excellent review of extem-
They also state the books’ usefulness to preregistration poraneous compounding and dispensing following the
trainees preparing for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society British National Formulary. The book addresses prod-
of Great Britain’s (RPSGB’s). Pharmaceutical Com- uct preparation and use, safety calculations, dispensing
pounding and Dispensing is a well-written study guide containers, labeling, discard dates, and patient informa-
to extemporaneous pharmaceutical compounding and tion concerning an extemporaneously prepared dosage
dispensing following the British National Formulary form under one condensed cover. The inclusion of self-
and British Pharmacopoeia guidelines. assessment exercises and answers is a beneficial tool
This book is a well organized comprehensive review not found in other books covering extemporaneous com-
of extemporaneous pharmaceutical compounding and pounding and dispensing. However, I would not recom-
dispensing written by British educators. Chapter 1 out- mend this book as a study guide for undergraduate
lines the layout of the text, general principles of labeling, pharmacy students preparing for examinations following
pharmaceutical packaging, and standards for extempora- the United States Pharmacopeia, National Formulary
neous dispensing. Chapters 2 through 8 are dedicated to (USP-NF) guidelines. The authors themselves state in
the extemporaneous preparation of key dosage forms. Chapter 1 that in all the worked examples and the infor-
Each chapter begins with an overview and introduction mation provided in the text has been fully referenced,
of each product type, followed by methods of preparation, wherever possible, using British Pharmacopoeia
worked examples and self-assessment exercises. Chap- (2004, London: TSO), British National Formulary, 51st
ters 2 through 5 cover the preparation of solutions, sus- edition (2006, London: BMJ Publishing Group and RPS
pensions, emulsions, and creams, respectively. The Publishing), Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia,
preparation of ointments, pastes, and gels are covered in 33rd edition (London: Royal Pharmaceutical Society).
Chapter 6. Chapter 7 guides you through the compound- Several formulas contain products that are not approved
ing of suppositories and pessaries. The final chapter cov- for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and
ers the preparation of powders and capsules. Embedded in greatly limit its usefulness as a study guide for those pre-
each chapter are shaded boxes. The boxes are used to paring for examinations following the USP-NF guidelines.
emphasize chapter objectives, patient and prescription This book would be a useful addition to the resource
information, important tips, and key points. The use of and reference library of pharmacy educators and practic-
these boxes throughout the book is a beneficial tool. Self- ing pharmacists seeking a review of extemporaneous
assessment exercises are found at the end of each chapter. pharmaceutical compounding and dispensing.
Assessments include multiple-choice questions (MCQs),
case studies, sample essay questions, and worked exam- Corresponding Author: Deborah Lester Strong, PharmD,
ples. Answers to self-assessment exercises are provided in Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy, University
a separate section following Chapter 8. Appendices 1 of Georgia, Athens. Tel: 706-542-7306. E-mail:
through 3 provide a glossary of terms used in formula- dstrong@rx.uga.edu