The Mortar & Pestle

'Just a Technician' Doesn't Exist: Adrianna Rodriguez on Non-Sterile Compounding Leadership | Strive Pharmacy, San Antonio, TX

Host Erin Michael welcomes Adrianna Rodriguez, CPhT, Non-Sterile Lead Technician at Strive Pharmacy in San Antonio, Texas, for an inspiring conversation about pharmacy technician excellence and the evolution of the profession.

 

In this episode, Adrianna covers:

• Her journey from high school dropout to certified pharmacy technician and compounding leader
• Transitioning from retail pharmacy (Walgreens) to specialty compounding

• Leading non-sterile compounding operations at one of the fastest-growing pharmacies in the country

• Quality assurance: triple-checking processes, USP 795/800 compliance, and minimum weighable quantities

• Creating custom formulations including suppositories, capsules, topical compounds, and rapid-dissolve tablets

• Why "just a technician" doesn't exist—and the expanding scope of pharmacy technician practice

• Staying current with continuing education through PCCA, APhA, NPTA, and industry newsletters

• Her memorable patient impact story: creating a custom prednisone tablet troche for a pediatric patient

Additional Links:

 

PATH: PccarxPCCA Tech Summit 

 

PCCA Core Compounding training: PccarxPCCA CORE Compounding

 

PCCA Technician Summit/Symposium :

AppleLive from the 2025 PCCA Technician Summit with Tiffany Kofroth, CSPT, CPhT-Adv & Mindy Stephens 

 

April 29-30 PCCA Compounding Technician Summit: PccarxPCCA Tech Summit

 

Past Episodes:

AppleCommon USP 800 Questions and Misconceptions with Matt Martin

 

AppleThe New USP 795 with A.J. Day & Matt Martin

 

AppleTech Talk: Mike Johnston the Accidental Technician

HRT Game-Changer for Women's Health with Sara Hover

FDA Removes Black Box Warning on Estrogen: HRT Game-Changer for Women's Health

After 23 years, the FDA removed the black box warning on estrogen products—a landmark decision transforming hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women. In this episode of the Mortar and Pestle podcast, hosts Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Dennison discuss this breakthrough with Sara Hover, Senior Director of Clinical Services at PCCA.

 

What You'll Learn:

• Why the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study was flawed and created decades of HRT concerns
• The timing hypothesis: why age matters when starting hormone replacement therapy
• Synthetic vs. bioidentical hormones and their clinical differences
• Oral estrogen delivery systems and safety implications
• Shared decision-making between patients, prescribers, and pharmacists
• Why compounded HRT solutions matter for patients who don't fit commercial products
• Hormone testing modalities and why multiple testing methods are essential
• Vaginal estrogen's role in preventing UTIs and hip fractures
• How pharmacists can educate providers and patients on HRT safety

 

Topics Covered:

Black box warning removal, hormone replacement therapy, bioidentical hormones, menopause management, compounding pharmacy, women's health, estrogen, patient monitoring, HRT dosing strategies

 

Perfect for: Compounding pharmacists, healthcare providers, and anyone seeking evidence-based information on hormone replacement therapy.

 

Links:

The FDA Removes the Black Box Warning on Estrogen: What Pharmacists Need to Know (2025 Update)

Why VersaBase Cream Is Your Best Choice for Women's HRT

The Vaginal Microbiome, Menopause & HRT

A Personalized Approach to HRT for Perimenopausal Women

Backed by Science: Anhydrous VersaBase® HRT

Optimizing the Patient Experience with the Right HRT Base: Insights from the Webinar

Methylene Blue Topical Formulations and Advanced Dermatology Compounding Strategies with Nat Jones

In this episode, discover innovative dermatology compounding formulations featuring methylene blue for anti-aging skincare. Clinical pharmacist Nat Jones discusses PCCA's USP-grade methylene and the need for quality. Methylene blue may play a role in collagen stimulation, hyaluronic acid production, and UV protection. Also, learn about bio-peptide cream bases, research on carbamazepine and plaque psoriasis as well as research on losartan and hypertrophic scars. Explore evidence-based topical treatments that may be appropriate for patients in compounding pharmacies. Perfect for pharmacists seeking advanced dermatological formulation strategies and cosmeceutical applications.

 

Learn more by visiting our blog:

 

Methylene Blue: Something Old and Something Blue

 

Working with Methylene Blue: Best Practices for Compounding and Cleanup

 

Methylene Blue: From Textile Dye to Potential Clinical Wonder

 

Industry Leader: APC Blue Print with Tenille Davis and Erin Micheal

In this episode of a Mortar and Pestle, Tenille Davis, Chief Advocacy Officer for the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, joins host Mike De Lisio and guest co-host Erin Michael, Director of Member Engagement, to discuss the APC Blue Print, a blueprint for eliminating redundant, unauthorized, or ineffective regulation that impedes patient access to compounded drugs.

Introducing UniFlow with Courtaney Davis and Daniel Banov

In this episode of a Mortar and Pestle, Vice President of Research and Development Daniel Banov and Senior Formulation Specialist Courtaney Davis join host Vice President of North American Sales Mike De Lisio and co-host Clinical Compounding Pharmacist, RPh, FAARM (Candidate) Sebastian Denison, to discuss PCCA’s newest base innovation, UniFlow ­— a game changer in T3 and T4 compounding.

Leucovorin and other Supplements for Autism with Tricia Heitman

In this episode of a Mortar and Pestle, Tricia Heitman, PharmD, joins host Mike De Lisio, Vice President of North American Sales, and co-host Sebastian Denison, Clinical Compounding Pharmacist, RPh, FAARM (Candidate) to discuss leucovorin and other supplements for autism.

Navigating Testosterone, Stress & Wellness with Ranel Larsen

In this episode of The Mortar & Pestle Podcast, pharmacist and hormone therapy expert Ranel Larsen joins Mike de Lisio, Vice President of North American Sales, and Sebastian Denison, Clinical Compounding Pharmacist, RPh, FAARM (Candidate), to dig into men’s health. From hormone replacement therapy and lab testing to lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and nutrition, Ranel breaks down how pharmacists can better support male patients while debunking common myths around testosterone.

Live from the 2025 PCCA Technician Summit with Tiffany Kofroth, CSPT, CPhT-Adv & Mindy Stephens

In this special live episode of Tech Talk, a Mortar & Pestle production, Erin Michael, Director of Member Engagement, is joined by Tiffany Kofroth, CSPT, CPhT-Adv, Advanced Pharmacy Technician in Continuing Pharmacy Education at the University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center from and Mindy Stephens, as they discuss their compounding journeys.

SubMagna® HMW with Richie Ray

In this episode of The Mortar & Pestle: A PCCA Podcast, host Mike de Lisio is joined by PCCA’s VP of R&D, Daniel Banov, and returning guest Richie Ray, owner of Richie Specialty Pharmacy, to explore the innovation and impact of SubMagna—a proprietary sublingual base developed by PCCA. They discuss the technical challenges and scientific breakthroughs involved in formulating SubMagna to effectively deliver high molecular weight peptides like semaglutide via the sublingual route. Daniel details the base’s development process, including surfactant balancing, solubility enhancement, and permeability optimization, while Richie shares clinical insights, patient responses, and the broader market implications. Together, they highlight SubMagna’s potential as a game-changing delivery system for peptides and other challenging APIs, especially in an era of rising demand for non-injectable therapies.

Tech Talk: Leadership Development with Michael Negrete and Ryan Burke

In this episode of Tech Talk, a Mortar & Pestle production, Erin Michael, Director of Member Engagement, is joined by Michael Negrete, Vice Chair of the Board at PLEI (Pharmacy Leadership & Education Institute), and Ryan Burke, Senior Director of Professional Affairs at PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) as they discuss leadership development and what PLEI and PTCB has to offer for pharmacy technicians.

Tech Talk: A Career, Not Just a Job with Mallorie Thomasson

In this episode of Tech Talk, a Mortar & Pestle production, Erin Michael, Director of Member Engagement, is joined by Mallorie Thomasson, pharmacy technician at Chris' Express Drug, as they discuss her compounding journey.

Tech Talk: Adding Value to What We Do with Michelle Frediani

In this episode of Tech Talk, a Mortar & Pestle production, Erin Michael, Director of Member Engagement, is joined by Michelle Frediani, pharmacy technician at Kusler's Pharmacy, as they discuss her compounding journey.

What Goes Into A PCCA Formula with Stacey Lemus

If you've ever downloaded a formula from the PCCA database and thought, “Wow, that was easy,” you’re not wrong — but behind that single click is a mountain of work, innovation and science. In this episode of the Mortar & Pestle, PCCA Senior Formulation Specialist & Project Manager Stacey Lemus, BS, joins host Mike De Lisio and co-host Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM  (Candidate) to give us a behind-the-scenes look at the engine that drives PCCA’s formulation development.

Tech Talk: The Glue to Your Pharmacy with Cindy Pegues

In this episode of Tech Talk, a Mortar & Pestle production, Erin Michael, Director of Member Engagement, is joined by Cindy Pegues, Pharmaceutical Sales Rep Texas at PCCA, as they discuss her compounding journey.

Tech Talk: Continually Advancing with Stacey Lemus

In this episode of Tech Talk, a Mortar & Pestle production, Erin Michael, Director of Member Engagement, is joined by Stacey Lemus, Senior Formulation Specialist and Project Manager at PCCA, as they discuss her early start into compounding from small town waitress to being recruited as a pharmacy technician.