An immersion curriculum for practicing investigational and clinical pharmacists interested in the emerging growth of research surrounding hyperpolarized metabolic contrast agents.

The Departments of Clinical Pharmacy and Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, UCSF Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine are pleased to announce the first annual five-day clinical pharmacy fundamentals course on hyperpolarized media.  This course will be held during the summer of 2012 at both the Laurel Heights and Mission Bay campuses of UCSF in San Francisco.  This course will focus on the basics of pharmaceutical compounding and dispensing of this novel drug class via lectures and multiple workshops.  Certificates will be offer to those participants completing the full training schedule.

The week will be devoted to the essential fundamentals of hyperpolarized metabolic contrast agents with respect to the role and responsibilities of the investigational pharmacy.  Major topics will include principles of dynamic nuclear polarization, development of standard operating procedures, manufacture and compounding of hyperpolarized media, quality assurance, administration techniques and much more.

·         Registration includes course syllabus, meals as noted on the program, exercise facility, and transportation to clinic sites.  Room/travel not included.

·         Travel and hotel accommodations must be made by course participants.  Details on recommended  hotels will be sent to registrants.

·         Prior to the program, registrants will receive a self-assessment survey, reading material and other program materials.  Survey is to be returned prior to the program. 

·         The UCSF School of Pharmacy is accredited by the American Council on Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.  To obtain credit, you must sign in and return a completed course evaluation format the end of the course.

To receive more information on this uniquely designed program to convey the core pharmacy skills needed to establish and operate a research facility that bring the sensitivity of ¹³C and ¹⁵N to the realm of research and potentially clinical in vivo tools, contact the course coordinator, Dr. Marcus Ferrone, Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at ferronem@pharmacy.ucsf.edu.