Radiation sterilization of pharmaceuticals

ABSTRACT

Ionizing radiation for sterilization of medical products has been widely used throughout the world, but its application for sterilization of pharmaceuticals has not yet gained popularity due to their complex nature. Radiation sterilization especially gamma radiation is a promising method for those pharmaceuticals which are sensitive to heat and ethylene oxide. This article compares various methods of sterilization and their shortcomings, radiation sterilization and its advantages over conventional methods, various radiation sources, effect of gamma irradiation on solid and aqueous pharmaceuticals and the methods of evaluation of irradiated products. Different pharmaceuticals approved for radiation treatment in different parts of the world and pharmaceuticals and radiopharmaceutical kits sterilized in Pakistan have also been described