The Mortar & Pestle

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

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

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  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.