The Research Pharmacy was established by the Columbia University Office of Clinical Trials. It is directed by Robert B. MacArthur, Pharm. D. It has served the varying needs of New York Presbyterian Hospital Investigators and their sponsors since 1995.
The Research Pharmacy serves all therapeutic areas, and dispenses products for both inpatients and outpatients. CUMC RP’s role in providing dedicated research services has increased steadily since 1995. Over this time period, the CUMC RP has worked with all of the Departments, Divisions and Centers (Table A) at the Medical Center that engage in clinical trials. In addition, it has provided services to numerous research networks (Table B) and has also interacted with all major pharmaceutical companies, numerous startups, and biotechnology companies.
The Research Pharmacy is equipped to manufacture, package, dispense, blind, randomize, and manage all dosage forms (tablets, capsules, liquids, suspensions, sterile solutions for injection, ointments, creams, etc.) for all routes of administration. Additionally the Research Pharmacy will handle drug ordering, inventory, accountability, and return shipments for study drug products, including controlled substances and devices. We can assist in the development, testing (sterility, pyrogens, stability, tonicity, pH, buffers, compatibility), and manufacturing of novel sterile, and non-sterile product formulations.
The experienced staff of the Research Pharmacy has assisted with the performance of well over 100 pharmacokinetic studies involving a wide range of therapeutic areas. We are available to assist with the design and implementation of studies, and can also analyze pharmacokinetic data.
We have three locations. The pharmacies serving the NYPH and clinics are located in the Herbert Irving Cancer Center, 161 Fort Washington Ave, 7-749 at the Pediatric Oncology Center and William Black Medical Research Building, 650 W 178th St Rm B30. Refrigerators (2-8 c), freezers (-20 c, -40 c, -70c, -190 c), and drug storage is available on campus in the Black Building, room B05. Our third location, which serves as a multi-center clinical trial drug distribution center, and class 100 sterile product production site, is located at 17 Smith Street, Englewood, NJ 07631.
Our standard hours of operation are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and we are also continuously “on-call” for studies that require immediate drug dispensing.
At the time of project budget preparation, or earlier, contact us to obtain a cost estimate request form. E-mail or FAX the completed form and a copy of your protocol, and contact information to the Research Pharmacy: researchpharmacy@columbia.edu or FAX 201-568-6148. A proposal will be generated and forwarded back within 1-2 weeks. If needed sooner, let us know and we’ll expedite the proposal.
Inquiries may be directed to one of the pharmacists:
Robert B. MacArthur, Pharm.D. 201-568-6315, rbm17@columbia.edu
Esther Chang, Pharm.D., 212-305-9867, ec2320@columbia.edu
Additional information may be obtained from our website: http://www.researchpharmacy.org