For over a century, Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy has guided generations of professionals through the complex universe of drug discovery, development, and patient care.
For over a century, in pharmacy schools and laboratories worldwide, one name has been whispered with reverence when daunting questions arise: Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy. This monumental work, often called "The Pharmacist's Bible," has guided generations of professionals through the complex universe of drug discovery, development, and patient care. The 22nd edition, published in 2012, represents a significant evolution in this legacy, reorganizing centuries of knowledge into a more accessible, international, and practical format than ever before.
What makes Remington exceptional isn't just its comprehensive coverage but its unique ability to bridge the gap between theoretical science and hands-on practice. Where other references might focus solely on chemical properties or clinical applications, Remington does the extraordinary—it connects the molecular structure of a compound to its manufacturing process, quality control, and eventual safe administration to patients.
This 22nd edition continues that tradition while adapting to the modern globalized pharmaceutical landscape, making it an indispensable tool for students, researchers, and practicing pharmacists alike.
Spanning two volumes with over 2,500 pages of pharmaceutical knowledge
Enhanced with Martindale content for global pharmaceutical perspective
The first volume of Remington serves as the fundamental scientific foundation for pharmaceutical knowledge. It delves deep into the chemistry, analysis, and development of medicinal compounds, providing the "why" behind drug behavior and effectiveness.
The second volume addresses the practical application of pharmaceutical knowledge, focusing on how pharmacists safely and effectively deliver medications to patients in various healthcare settings.
This volume has been significantly expanded in the 22nd edition with chapters on cutting-edge topics relevant to contemporary practice 1 .
While mass-produced medications dominate modern treatment, there remains a crucial need for custom-compounded drugs—medications specially prepared by pharmacists to meet unique patient needs that commercial products cannot address.
Hospital pharmacies with special licenses regularly undertake such compounding activities, particularly for personalized needs in oncology, dermatology, paediatrics, and clinical research 7 .
Creating personalized medications for unique patient needs
A physician refers a patient with chronic pain who cannot tolerate oral NSAIDs due to gastrointestinal sensitivity. The healthcare team decides to compound a topical diclofenac sodium gel for localized pain relief.
Using Remington's pharmaceutical calculations section , the pharmacist calculates the required amount of active ingredient (diclofenac sodium) for a 1% concentration in a 100g batch, along with necessary gelling agents, penetration enhancers, and preservatives.
Prior to compounding, all ingredients undergo identification and quality verification following Remington's Instrumental Methods of Analysis .
The gel is prepared under appropriate conditions, following strict protocols for weighing, mixing, and packaging to ensure sterility and stability.
The compounded gel undergoes testing for pH, viscosity, and physical appearance before being dispensed with appropriate patient instructions.
The successful creation of a customized topical gel demonstrates several key pharmaceutical principles covered extensively in Remington:
The compounded formulation must maintain chemical stability without degradation
The gel must deliver the active ingredient through the skin at therapeutic levels
The final product must be acceptable to the patient in terms of texture, odor, and application feel
| Component | Concentration | Function | Quality Control Parameters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diclofenac Sodium | 1% | Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) | Purity, particle size |
| Carbomer Polymer | 1.5% | Gelling agent | Viscosity, clarity |
| Triethanolamine | q.s. | pH adjuster | pH (target 6.5-7.5) |
| Propylene Glycol | 10% | Penetration enhancer | Viscosity, compatibility |
| Purified Water | to 100% | Solvent | Purity, microbial limits |
This process illustrates how Remington serves as the authoritative source for both the science behind formulation and the practical aspects of preparation, ensuring pharmacists can create safe, effective customized medications when commercial options are insufficient.
Behind every pharmaceutical advancement and compounded preparation lies an arsenal of specialized tools, reagents, and references. Remington serves as the guide to this complex toolkit, helping professionals navigate everything from basic compounding to sophisticated quality control.
| Tool/Reagent | Function | Application Example |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Reference Standards | Certified pure compounds for comparison | Identifying and quantifying active ingredients 3 |
| Chromatography Systems | Separating mixture components | Analyzing drug purity (HPLC) |
| Biopharmaceutical Classification System | Framework for predicting drug absorption | Guiding formulation development 2 |
| Stability Testing Chambers | Simulating environmental conditions | Determining shelf life and storage requirements 3 |
| Martindale Content | International drug information | Identifying medications across countries 1 8 |
The 22nd edition of Remington represents a significant step into modern pharmaceutical education and practice through its availability in both print and online formats via MedicinesComplete 3 4 . This digital accessibility ensures that this comprehensive resource can be available at the point of care, in the laboratory, or during late-night study sessions.
"Although the trend is toward online everything, The Remington as a core book would be very important to own in the face of a disaster. The core collection is the back-up to a hospital on auxiliary power or no power at all" 3 .
Available online via MedicinesComplete for point-of-care reference
| Feature | Previous Editions | 22nd Edition Innovations |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Single volume | Two-volume set for easier reference 1 |
| Focus | Primarily U.S. perspective | International focus 1 5 |
| Monographs | Traditional Remington content | Enhanced with Martindale content 1 8 |
| Access | Primarily print | Print plus online access via MedicinesComplete 4 |
| Practice Coverage | Standard practices | Expanded sections on cutting-edge topics 1 |
Traditional two-volume set for comprehensive reference
Online access via MedicinesComplete platform
As the field of pharmacy continues to evolve with breathtaking speed—from personalized medicine based on genetic profiles to nanotechnology-based drug delivery—the role of foundational resources like Remington becomes paradoxically both more challenging and more essential. The 22nd edition successfully walks this tightrope, honoring its century-long legacy while embracing the international, technologically advanced, and patient-centered future of pharmaceutical care.
Connecting drug development science with patient care practice
Essential resource for students and professionals at all career stages
Meticulously researched, peer-reviewed content in an age of unreliable information
What remains constant is Remington's unique position as the comprehensive bridge between the pure science of drug development and the practical art of patient care. For the student first encountering the complexity of pharmaceutical calculations, the researcher developing novel drug delivery systems, the compounding pharmacist creating customized medications, or the clinical pharmacist ensuring patient safety at the bedside, Remington continues to serve as what one reviewer called "the career companion all pharmacists should have" 8 .
In an age of easily accessible but often unreliable online information, this meticulously researched, peer-reviewed resource stands as a bulwark of accuracy and comprehensive coverage—proving that some traditions not only endure but become more valuable with time.