What is the first step in preparing a radiopharmaceutical?

The first step in preparing a radiopharmaceutical is synthesis. This process involves the chemical or pharmacological creation of the radiopharmaceutical compound by incorporating a radioactive isotope into a specific chemical structure or agent that is biologically active. This step is essential because it determines the efficacy and safety of the radiopharmaceutical, ensuring that the radioactive component is effectively utilized within the designated application, such as imaging or therapy.

Following synthesis, the other steps—quality control, calibration, and dispensing—are performed. Quality control ensures that the finalized product meets all necessary safety and efficacy standards before it is used clinically. Calibration involves ensuring that the imaging equipment is properly set to read the radioactive emissions correctly. Lastly, dispensing is the process of preparing the radiopharmaceutical for administration to the patient. Each of these steps is critical in the overall process but relies on successful synthesis as the foundational stage.