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ThinkNext: ISTX23, the must-see compounding event held October 26-28 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, was our best International Seminar ever — until next year!
ThinkNext: ISTX23 kicked off with a lively presentation from Peter Lovatt, PhD, also known as “Dr. Dance.” Dr. Lovatt discussed how structured and improvised movements affect brain functions, reviewed clinical studies on how structured dance movements positively impact people with Parkinson’s disease and, at the end of his presentation, encouraged the audience to participate in a structured dance routine.
PCCA Director of Research & Development Daniel Banov, RPh, MS, introduced our new base, EctoSeal P2G™ Powder, developed to transform wound care preparations at the tissue level. As Daniel discussed the benefits of the base’s natural ingredients, audience members received samples of EctoSeal P2G to see how it quickly transforms from powder to hydrogel and experience, firsthand, its protective film.
Our Member Pearls Panel started with Eddie DeCaria, RPh, FAPC, who presented ways to retain pharmacy staff and ensure they, as well as your pharmacy, thrive. Robyn Crow, RPh, followed with tips on dermatology compounding, and Jennifer Palazzolo, RPh, closed the session by discussing how point-of-care services can increase your pharmacy revenues.
After the Rx Runway Fashion Show lunch featuring 11 compounding colleagues sharing clinical compounding and business tips, participants heard from Sarah Zielsdorf, MD, MS, who shared her personal, “strenuous journey” on infertility during Part 1 of the Infertility Triad. Her pearl: “Test. Don’t guess.” Part 2 featured PCCA Director of Clinical Services Sara Hover, RPh, FAARM, who presented new infertility information, including endocrine disruptors, how mitochondria are involved in embryogenesis and nutrients that support mitochondria. Sara’s pearl: “Think of your patient’s’ hormone levels as a vital sign.” Part 3 of the triad featured a review of patient Margie Lamberth’s powerful story about her own infertility journey, which resulted in the birth of her son.
The final discussion of the day by our Regulatory Panel addressed topics ranging from GFI #256 to USP 800 implementation. The Regulatory Panel’s pearl: “Get involved. Get your patients involved. All of you are constituents.” Day 1 concluded with Ashley Berthelot of Professional Arts Pharmacy in Lafayette, Louisiana, receiving our 2023 L. David Sparks Advocacy award.
Watch the dance moves and see what you missed by clicking the video.
Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) started the day sharing how two generations of his family were positively impacted by his local compounding pharmacy. Rep. Griffith later discussed why he introduced HR 167, the “Patient Access to Urgent-Use Pharmacy Compounding Act of 2023,” which in part addresses how compounders can help resolve drug shortages. His pearl: “Get to know your congressional members before issues arise.”
Participants later attended their choice of workshops from more than 15 options across five different tracks. For example, a Clinical & Formulations workshop offered “Top 10 Compounding Tips from the Lab”; a Marketing & Sales workshop presented “Do This, Not That: Making Claims and Images on Social Media”; and a Business & Development workshop discussed, “Pharmacy Talent Management: Nurturing the Best, Releasing the Rest.”
In between workshop sessions, participants enjoyed the Awards Luncheon, where we presented our 2023 M. George Webber Compounding Pharmacist of the Year award to Kevin Borg, PharmD, FAPC, FACA, owner of Potter’s House Apothecary in Peoria, Arizona, and Prescott Compounding Pharmacy in Prescott, Arizona. Our 2023 George Roentsch New Innovator award was also presented to Dayna Timmer, PharmD, owner of Mountainside Compounding in Tate, Georgia.
Day 2 ended with a party celebrating compounders and PCCA CEO David Sparks’ 80th birthday. Attendees dressed in their favorite 1950s attire, then danced, ate and partied like it was 1955!
Relive the fun or see what you missed in this short video.
The morning opened with functional medicine practitioner Mary Caire, MD, who covered “Emerging Therapies: Protocols for Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN), Methylene Blue and Ivermectin.” During her presentation, Dr. Caire discussed how LDN tricks the brain into producing more endorphins. PCCA Clinical Compounding Pharmacist Sebastian Denison, RPh, FAARM (candidate), then tag-teamed Dr. Caire for a deeper dive into the chemical aspects of LDN, methylene blue and ivermectin, and ended his presentation by expressing his enthusiasm for how these emerging therapies may help patients.
Next, Holly Seyler, winner of our 2023 PCCA Institute Pharmacy Student Scholarship, treated participants to an enthusiastic presentation on “Speaking Loudly and Boldy for Our Patients” and thanked her compounding colleagues for their amazing support.
The day concluded with the return of Dr. Caire, whose presentation, “Libido is Your Life Drive,” explored the connection between libido, hormones and health, explaining how the libido is impacted by declining hormone levels, which
in turn may lead to declining health as we age.
Throughout the 3-day event, participants also enjoyed catching up with compounding colleagues, networking and enjoying the many activities of the new venue. We hope to see even more PCCA members, old and new, at ThinkNext: ISTX24 — our next “best international seminar ever!”
Catch a glimpse of what’s in store for ThinkNext: ISTX24.