This week, Stacey is joined by Eric Kastango and Kevin Hansen to talk about compounding and specialty pharmacy, regulations, innovations and reputations. Compounding Pharmacists have a very challenging, and rewarding job, in their development of specialized medicines for individualized patient care. For many, there is satisfaction in working to solve the needs of patients through innovative partnership with the patient and their practitioner. Too often professionals in this space are mired by regulatory inconsistencies, special interest groups, lack of transparency and a tarnished reputation, all of which make this highly challenging job even more difficult. Today we will talk about some of the hurdles and opportunities in Compounding.

Eric Kastango, Expert Consultant and PharmacistEric has dedicated his life's work to patient safety through better sterile compounding, aseptic manufacturing, lean production, and robust quality management practices. He has practiced pharmacy in hospital, community, and homecare settings in a variety of roles. He was previously Corporate Vice President of Pharmacy Services for CoramHealthcare and also managed a cGMP outsource manufacturing operation for Baxter Healthcare. In addition to his consulting role, Eric continues to serve as a sterile compounding, 503B outsourcing, and patient safety subject matter expert for his clients, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, State Boards of Pharmacy, and was one of the key US Department of Justice expert witnesses during the New England Compounding Center trials from 2017-2019.

Kevin Hansen, PharmD, Assistant Director of PharmacyMoses H. Cone Memorial HospitalDr. Kevin Hansen is Assistant Director of Pharmacy at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina and provides leadership and operational oversite for pharmaceutical compounding and pharmacy perioperative services. He is a preceptor for the Health-System Pharmacy Administration residency program. In addition, Dr. Hansen serves as adjunct faculty for The University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Within the Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, as part of the Cone Health system, Dr. Hansen is involved in several committees and initiatives related to his practice interests of pharmaceutical compounding, handling hazardous drugs, medication and compounding safety, drug shortage management, and pharmacy perioperative services. He is a member of ASHP and the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP). He currently serves a leading role through ASHP’sSterile Products Workgroup, as part of the Section of Pharmacy Practice Managers (SPPM).

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