Book Review

Pharmaceutical Calculations: The Pharmacist's Handbook

Howard C, Ansel, PhD; Shelly J. Prince, RPh, PhD
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

This is an excellent new comprehensive reference for any compounding pharmacist!

This handbook is the first of its kind and is based on the more comprehensive Pharmaceutical Calculations, 11th edition, by Howard C. Ansel and Mitchell J. Stoklosa. If you liked the original, you have to have the handbook! It is designed for those who already have an understanding of the fundamentals of pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy students on clerkship/externship/ internship, residents, practicing pharmacists and those serving as preceptors. It is a ready reference, with information that is readily accessible and applicable to the everyday practice of pharmacy. Compared to the primary text, this handbook is more concise in its explanations and example problems and contains additional subject matter. Of interest to compounding pharmacists are the added chapters on veterinary dosing, capsule filling, suppository molding and nutritional dosing. Overall, it contains 20 concise chapters logically and systematically organized by subject matter from start to finish. The appendices contain supplemental information and charts, including sodium chloride equivalents and a table of atomic weights. Finally, a competency assessment section is available for self-assessment and preparation for licensure exams.