ThinkNext: International Seminar 2024 (ThinkNext: ISTX24), held October 17 - 19 in Houston, Texas, was a huge success with well over 500 rockstar compounders from around the world. We’re sharing seminar highlights and memorable takeaways that make PCCA members return year after year.

The following summaries, however, do not give justice to the many workshops and presentations offered at ThinkNext: ISTX24. Nor do they capture the energy, networking, educational pearls, laughter and good times shared. You’ve got to be there to fully appreciate and experience the best jam compounding fest in the land.

Clinical Presentations

• Compounding Ideas for Dermatology and Wound Care
  PCCA Clinical Pharmacist Nat Jones, RPh, FAPC, discussed compounding options for hair growth, ideas for topical anti-aging face formulations and understanding wounds and evaluation options for step-by-step wound care.
• Hospice and Palliative Care in Veterinary Medicine
  PCCA Vice President of Creative Development Chris Simmons, RPh, and PCCA Clinical Compounding Pharmacist Mark Gonzalez, PharmD, defined hospice and palliative care, described the disease states commonly seen in the veterinary hospice/palliative care setting, shared compounded options and discussed the value compounding brings to this area of veterinary medicine.

Innovation

• Behind the Science: PCCA Innovation
  PCCA Chief Scientific Officer Gus Bassani, PharmD, and PCCA Director of Research & Development Daniel Banov, RPh, MS, shared new data from scientific studies conducted on EctoSeal P2G ™ and SubMagna™ SL HMW that members can share with prescribers.
• Leadership and How to Fail Like a Boss
  Keynote speaker Dave Aspery, “the father of biohacking,” pointed out how the five F's: "fear, food, fertility, friends and forgiveness," drive a person's energy, also noting how our life expectancy and longevity are influenced by our physical and mental health.

Marketing

• New Trends in Social Media
  Magnolia Pharmacy owner and president Steve Hoffart, PharmD, shared tips on how to use social media to market your pharmacy in your community and to federal legislators.
• A Practical Approach to AI and How I Use It
  Las Colinas Compounding & Wellness Pharmacy’s Stacy Hightower, CPhT, FAPC, discussed game-changing AI and how she develops marketing campaigns, gains consumer insights and increases pharmacy revenue using this powerful tool.

Revenue Generation

• Building Supplement Sales
  PCCA Director of Member Engagement Erin Michael, MBA, MS, CPhT, FAPC, and PCCA Director of Business Solutions Laura Pfaffenberger, PharmD, discussed market trends for dietary supplements and how to tap into this lucrative niche.
• What Is Your Job?
  Williamsburg Drug Company owner and pharmacist T.W. Taylor, RPh, shared how consultation services provided by his pharmacy helped his patients restore their health and increase his pharmacy’s revenue.
• Business Accelerator: Move Your Pharmacy Forward — Faster
  PCCA Director of Business Solutions Laura Pfaffenberger, PharmD, took the stage and announced Business Accelerator, which offers workable solutions that address staffing, operations, strategy and growth specific to compounding pharmacies.

Regulatory Concerns

• Implications of Your Marketing from a Regulatory Perspective
  PCCA Clinical Services Director Matt Martin, PharmD, BCSCP, and PCCA Director of Member Engagement Erin Michael, MBA, MS, CPhT, FAPC, discussed the regulatory considerations that apply when promoting your practice, best practices for promoting your services without making claims and the standards images should meet before being used in promotional content.
• PCCA Public Affairs
  PCCA Vice President of Public Affairs, Education and Human Relations Lizzie Harbin opened the Regulatory, Public Affairs and Industry Partner Panel by discussing the importance of advocating for our industry. Lizzie then invited CEO of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding Scott Brunner, CAE, and CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association Doug Hoey, RPh, MBA, to discuss imminent threats to pharmacies: compounding hormones, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees, as well as the role of telehealth in pharmacies.

Award-Winning Members

• Joseph P. Navarra, RPh, FACA, FAPC, owner of Town Total Compounding Center in Woodbury, New York, and board chair of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, was named PCCA’s 2024 M. George Webber, PhD, Compounding Pharmacist of the Year.
• Stacy Hightower, CPhT, FAPC, of Las Colinas Pharmacy Compounding & Wellness in Irving, Texas, owned by Jim and Jan Hrncir, was honored as PCCA’s inaugural Compounding Technician of the Year.
• Jerry Beamer, RPh, co-owner of Andrews Apothecary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was honored as the recipient of the 2024 L. David Sparks Advocacy Award.
• Isha Gupta, PharmD, MBA, owner of HatchRx Compounding Pharmacy in Long Island, New York, was honored as the recipient of the 2024 George Roentsch, RPh, New Innovator Award. 

We thoroughly enjoyed rocking out with our PCCA members, sponsors and friends and look forward to seeing more new and familiar faces next year at ThinkNext: International Seminar 2025 — the best jam compounding fest in the land.