The Mortar & Pestle

Happy holidays from The Mortar & Pestle! As we get ready to ring in the new year, please enjoy this compilation of some of the best conversations we had on the podcast in 2021.

Sara Hover, RPh, FAARM, joins co-hosts Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate), to discuss scar therapy. They discuss how compounding specifically has an advantage when it comes to scarring and the best products for scar treatment.

PCCA Clinical Compounding Pharmacist Ranel Larsen, PharmD, RPh, joins co-host Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate) to discuss her experience with dermatological issues and how she has helped patients with a variety of compounding options.

Fabiana Banov, RPh, MS., Senior Formulation Pharmacist at PCCA, joins co-hosts Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate) to discuss how she joined PCCA, her role, and how the PCCA Flavoring Guide was developed. They also discuss the intricacies of flavoring and how it can help compliance from patients - both human and veterinary.

David Glasser, MD, Secretary for Federal Affairs at American Academy of Ophthalmology, joins co-hosts Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate), to discuss the AAO's to preserve access to compounded eye care medications and how compounding pharmacies can help patients.

Beau Harger, PharmD, Clinical Compounding Pharmacist at PCCA, joins host Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate), to discuss the process of choosing the right base when compounding. They also walk through how the different bases available from PCCA can work in different scenarios to best help patients.

This episode was recorded prior to FDA extending the deadline for states to sign the Memorandum of Understanding regarding shipping of human compounds.     States now have until October of 2022 to make their decision regarding the MOU. 

Ronna Hauser, PharmD, NCPA Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs Operations, joins co-hosts Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate), to discuss the role community pharmacies have played in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. They also discuss how the pandemic has altered the way pharmacies have to operate along with how they have adapted in the ever-changing environment.

On this episode of The Mortar & Pestle, co-hosts Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate), discuss the basics of cleanrooms and how future regulations are going to require compounding pharmacies to adapt and adjust. They also detail the process of building out a cleanroom — from understanding guidelines and getting started all the way to choosing the best materials and hiring the right contractor. Finally, they talk about what resources PCCA can offer you in order to complete a cleanroom project.

Mike Johnston, CEO of National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) joins co-hosts Mike De Lisio and Erin Michael to discuss what value NPTA can bring for a compounding pharmacy technician. They also discuss the latest initiatives the association is taking in order to help pharmacy technicians. 

Shelbi Witt, PharmD, joins host Mike De Lisio to discuss her journey to owning a compounding pharmacy. They talk about what led her to want her own pharmacy, steps she took to realize that goal and what resources she has found helpful in guiding her.

PCCA’s Bruce Biundo, RPh, FACA, joins co-hosts Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate), to further explore all things men’s health. They specifically discuss the latest research on prostate cancer and how it relates to testosterone in men — and much more.

Gus Bassani, PharmD, PCCA Chief Scientific Officer, and Daniel Banov, RPh, MS, PCCA Director of Research and Development, join co-hosts Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate), to discuss the anhydrous bases available from PCCA. In this episode, they talk about the versatility of these bases, the technology behind them and why their anhydrous property is so important in the world of pharmacy compounding.

Bryan Prescott, PharmD, MBA, PCCA Director of Management Coaching Services, joins co-hosts Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate), to discuss the major things that compounding pharmacies need to consider when looking at opportunities available in the marketplace. They dig into topics such as reaching prescribers, patient follow-up programs and understanding the details of your pharmacy’s financial data.

Amy Shank, PCCA Director of Government Affairs, and Matt Martin, PharmD, BCSCP, PCCA Clinical Services Manager, join co-hosts Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate), to discuss recent developments happening on Capitol Hill and how they can affect all compounding pharmacies. They also discuss ways that any compounder can contribute in advocacy efforts to protect their patients, their practices and the compounding industry overall.

Scott Brunner, CAE, CEO of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding (APC), joins co-hosts Mike De Lisio and Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate), to discuss the recent NASEM report on compounded hormone therapy and what it means to the pharmacy compounding industry. They also discuss regulatory issues that all compounding pharmacies should be aware of.