October 15 is National Pharmacy Technician Day! Our Profile in Personalize Medicine highlights Katie Albers, CPhT, Pharmacy Manager and Co-Owner, along with Dawn Trame, RPh, and Richard W. Schulte, Esq., of Impact Compounding, located in Tipp City, Ohio. We asked Katie what “Compounding: It’s Personal” means to her and her pharmacy, why she was drawn to compounding and so much more.

Compounding: It’s Personal

“It’s personal” goes beyond each patient needing an individualized approach based on their age, medical history, symptoms, etc. At Impact Compounding, we care about each patient’s outcomes and strive to take the time to ensure they receive the best possible care and attention. This includes routine follow-ups with the patients and their providers, and listening to their own unique goals. Each patient, situation, medication and outcome will always be personal.

Drawn to Compounding Since High School

I started observing the world of compounding pharmacy when I was in high school at my first job. Fast forward 21 years and I’m still here. I have a “fix it” personality mixed with a lot of drive, perhaps some stubbornness and a lot of heart. I believe prescription compounding and the world that accompanies it takes a mix of those qualities.

Trickle-Down Values

PCCA is the standard for quality, support and reliability. We pass these values down to our patients, knowing that the ingredients are the best quality and they can rely on us for the best formulations and follow through.

Patient Success

A patient had a hormone imbalance that disrupted her sleep and created anxiety. Our pharmacist reviewed the patient’s hormone levels with their provider to address their imbalance. The patient started progesterone 200 mg sustained-release capsules at bedtime. After a few weeks of progesterone therapy, the patient’s levels began to increase, and they were finally able to fall asleep faster and stay asleep. This was personal to me because I had sleep issues like this patient — when you can’t sleep, it causes anxiety and makes day-to-day living more difficult.

Expanding Opportunities

The role of compounding technician is an ever-evolving profession. Over the years, being a technician has opened the door to many avenues and growth opportunities within and outside of the pharmacy walls. Whether you are talented at marketing, advertising, compounding, support, quality control or program development, there is an opportunity for all.

Favorite PCCA base and why? How do you use it and what makes it a top choice in your practice?

My favorite base for our BHRT patients is VersaBase® Cream. It is hypoallergenic, odor-free and rubs in well without drying out the skin. Its versatility makes it a top pick for both topical and vaginal formulations at our pharmacy.

Personally, I am slightly obsessed with PCCA’s Biopeptide Biocosmetic™ base. I am looking forward to growing cosmetic formulations in the future.

Advice for Pharmacists and Technicians Interested in Compounding

If you want a profession that is both challenging and rewarding in an ever-growing field, then prescription compounding is calling your name!