Pharmacy Practice

2026 ACA Annual Conference & Expo: Pharmacy Education, Innovation & Growth in New Orleans

2026-08-26T11:09:49-05:00August 26th, 2026|Categories: Continuing Education, AI+technologies, Business, Community Pharmacy, Compliance, compounding, Hormones, networking, Pharmacy Law, Pharmacy Practice, Professional Development, Professional Growth, Regulatory Issues|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

New Orleans is calling! Join pharmacy professionals from across the country for the 2026 American College of Apothecaries Annual Conference & Expo, September 24–26, 2026, at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans.

This year’s conference brings together 10 contact hours (1.0 CEU) of continuing education, timely pharmacy topics, practical strategies, industry resources, and valuable opportunities to connect with colleagues and exhibitors—all in the heart of New Orleans.

Whether you’re focused on strengthening patient care, navigating today’s regulatory environment, expanding your compounding knowledge, or finding new ways to grow your pharmacy, the 2026 ACA Annual Conference & Expo offers education and ideas you can take back to your practice.

Education for Today’s Pharmacy Practice

Hear from experienced pharmacy professionals and industry experts on topics affecting pharmacy practice today, including:

  • FDA guidance and compounding compliance
  • Sterile and nonsterile compounding facility design
  • Peptides and the evolving compounding landscape
  • Hormone health and progesterone therapy
  • Drug-induced nutrient depletion
  • Federal and state pharmacy law and regulatory updates
  • Pharmacy financing and acquisitions
  • Social media strategies for independent pharmacies
  • Artificial intelligence and ethical pharmacy practice

The program combines clinical education, regulatory and compliance updates, compounding, technology, and business development, giving attendees the opportunity to explore multiple areas of pharmacy practice in one conference.

More Than Continuing Education

The ACA Annual Conference & Expo is also an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day routine, exchange ideas with other pharmacy professionals, build new relationships, and discover products, services, and resources that can support your practice.

Spend time with pharmacists, pharmacy owners, pharmacy technicians, compounding professionals, exhibitors, and other healthcare professionals who understand the opportunities and challenges facing pharmacy today.

Your Conference Registration Includes

  • 10 contact hours (1.0 CEU) of continuing education for eligible attendees
  • Thursday evening Cocktail Reception
  • Welcome Dinner, Board Installation & Fellow Induction
  • Conference meals
  • Exhibitor experiences and access to participating exhibitors
  • Networking opportunities throughout the conference

Stay at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans

Make the most of your conference experience by staying where the action is! The Royal Sonesta New Orleans, host hotel for the 2026 ACA Annual Conference & Expo, places attendees in the heart of New Orleans’ historic French Quarter.

Located on Bourbon Street, the Royal Sonesta offers convenient access to conference activities while putting you within walking distance of the dining, music, culture, and attractions that make New Orleans such a memorable destination.

ROYAL SONESTA NEW ORLEANS
300 Bourbon Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Hotel Reservations

The official ACA room block deadline has passed. However, attendees who still need hotel accommodations are encouraged to contact Susan Decker, ACA Director of Conferences, to inquire about current room availability and whether the ACA conference rate may still be available.

Susan Decker, ACA Director of Conferences
Phone: 434-989-5938
Email: susan@acainfo.org

Hotel availability and rates are not guaranteed and are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Planning to attend? We encourage you to make your hotel arrangements as soon as possible.

Meet Us in New Orleans

Set in the French Quarter at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans, this year’s conference gives you the opportunity to invest in your professional development while connecting with the pharmacy community in one of the country’s most distinctive destinations.

Come ready to learn, connect, exchange ideas, and discover new opportunities for your pharmacy and your career.

September 24–26, 2026
Royal Sonesta New Orleans
300 Bourbon Street | New Orleans, Louisiana

 

The 2026 ACA Annual Conference & Expo offers a total of 10 contact hours (1.0 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. See the individual activity information for specific ACPE Universal Activity Numbers (UANs), learning objectives, and credit hours. To receive ACPE credit, attendees must provide their NABP e-Profile ID and date of birth (MMDD) and complete the required activity evaluation. Continuing education credit will be submitted to CPE Monitor® following completion of all applicable requirements. Participants are encouraged to claim their credit promptly following the conference. Any unclaimed credit with a date of participation six months or older will not be eligible for processing. The American College of Apothecaries, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Sessions carrying an ACPE Universal Activity Number are eligible for continuing pharmacy education credit as specified for each activity.

2026 Sponsors and Exhibitors

Fundamental Compounding with Pharmacy Law | November 5-7, 2026

2026-08-26T09:31:41-05:00August 26th, 2026|Categories: Continuing Education, compounding, compounding training, Hazardous drug handling, Pharmacy Law, Pharmacy Practice, Regulatory Issues, USP 795|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Fundamental Compounding with Pharmacy Law is a live, multi-day compounding course designed for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy professionals seeking a strong foundation in both compounding practices and regulatory compliance. This course integrates compounding principles with pharmacy law to support safe, compliant, and high-quality compounding operations.

Participants will review the regulatory framework governing pharmacy compounding, including applicable federal and state considerations and key United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards. Emphasis is placed on documentation, quality assurance, policies and procedures, and compliance requirements essential to day-to-day compounding practice.

The course includes instruction and hands-on training in common nonsterile dosage forms, such as capsules, molded dosage forms, and topical preparations. Participants will learn proper techniques, equipment use, quality control measures, and best practices to support consistency and patient safety.

A dedicated session on hazardous drug handling addresses requirements for facilities, engineering controls, PPE, and personnel training, with alignment to applicable USP standards and safety expectations.

This program combines didactic instruction and application-based learning to reinforce compounding knowledge, regulatory awareness, and practical skills in a structured, in-person environment.

Strengthen your foundation in compounding and pharmacy law through this practical, live training. Registration is below.

What attendees said:

  • “The ACA Fundamentals of Compounding Course was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my pharmacy. The small, hands-on setting, focus on USP 795/800, and opportunity to network with both new and experienced compounders made it invaluable. Highly recommend!”
  • “The instructor effectively highlighted important topics and used real-world examples to support learning. The small class size made it easy to ask questions and have open discussions.”
  • “The class was great. The networking with other pharmacists from different areas was great. I was immediately able to take the knowledge learned and apply it in my store.”
Loading...
]

The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. ACA has accredited this knowledge/application-based certificate program for 21 contact hours (2.1 CEUs) of continuing education credit for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Sterile Compounding Certificate Program | November 12–14, 2026

2026-08-26T09:32:25-05:00August 26th, 2026|Categories: Certificate Program, compounding, Continuing Education, Hazardous drug handling, Pharmacy Practice, Regulatory Issues, Sterile Compounding, USP 797, USP 800|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

The Comprehensive Sterile Compounding Certificate Program is a live, in-depth training program designed for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians involved in sterile compounding. This certificate-based course provides a structured, practice-focused review of sterile compounding standards, regulatory requirements, documentation, training, and quality systems to support safe and compliant operations.

Participants will examine the legal and regulatory framework governing sterile compounding, including applicable FDA guidance and key USP standards such as USP <797> and USP <800>. Emphasis is placed on understanding how these requirements translate into daily practice and inspection readiness.

The program includes detailed instruction on documentation, quality assurance and quality control programs, policies and procedures (SOPs), and personnel training and competency requirements. Attendees will review expectations for facility design, environmental monitoring, equipment, and workflow as they relate to sterile compounding compliance.

A focused module on hazardous drug handling addresses facility requirements, engineering controls, PPE, personnel training, and assessment of risk, with alignment to current safety and regulatory expectations.

This certificate program combines didactic instruction and application-based learning, offering attendees the opportunity to strengthen their sterile compounding knowledge while reinforcing compliance, safety, and best practices.

Strengthen your sterile compounding skills and reinforce compliance with this hands-on certificate program. Registration is below.

What attendees said:

  • “This class was super helpful in increasing my knowledge and technique in the lab. I highly recommend it.”
  • “It’s a great class! Anyone want to get into sterile or the ones already doing it, should really consider taking this class.”
  • “With nearly 20 years of sterile compounding practice and exposure, this course reinforced my knowledge and skills in this area. I am more confident after this course.”
Loading...

The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. ACA has accredited this knowledge/application-based certificate program for 20 contact hours (2.0 CEUs) of continuing education credit for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Compounding for the Veterinary Patient | 6-hour ACPE-accredited home study

2026-07-15T08:40:36-05:00July 15th, 2026|Categories: Continuing Education, compounding, Home Study, Pharmaceutical Training, Pharmacy Practice, USP 795, Veterinary Compounding|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

Compounding for the Veterinary Patient is a 6-hour ACPE-accredited home study designed for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who want to strengthen their knowledge of veterinary compounding. This self-paced program explores the regulatory, clinical, and practical considerations involved in preparing customized medications for animal patients while supporting safe and compliant pharmacy practice.

Participants will review veterinary compounding regulations, extra-label drug use, office-use compounding, patient-specific prescription requirements, and current FDA guidance affecting veterinary pharmacy practice. The program also examines USP General Chapter <795>, including personnel training, documentation, quality assurance, quality control, beyond-use dating, and facility requirements for nonsterile compounding.

Additional modules focus on veterinary dosage forms, pharmaceutical calculations, flavoring strategies, veterinary pharmacology, species-specific therapeutic considerations, toxicology, and practical compounding techniques used to improve medication administration and patient compliance. Participants will also explore commonly compounded veterinary medications, specialized compounding vehicles, and real-world examples that support individualized treatment across a variety of animal species.

Whether you are new to veterinary compounding or looking to expand your expertise, this home study provides practical knowledge that can be applied immediately in pharmacy practice.


Q: Who should complete this home study?
Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, student pharmacists, and pharmacy professionals interested in veterinary compounding, USP <795>, nonsterile compounding, and medication safety for animal patients.

Q: Will I earn CE credit?
Yes. This activity provides 6 contact hours (0.6 CEU) of ACPE-accredited continuing education for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Expand your veterinary compounding knowledge with this flexible home study covering regulations, USP <795>, pharmacology, dosage forms, and medication safety.

What participants said:

  • “The material was comprehensive and easy to understand.”
  • “Thorough review of the history of regulations and how this shaped compounding regulations.”
  • “Excellent presentation. Clear explanations, practical examples, and useful information on veterinary compounding and dosage forms.”

Registration is below

Note: It is not necessary to create a Lecture Panda account to register for this home study.

The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. ACA has accredited this knowledge-based program for 6 contact hours (0.6 CEU) of continuing education credit for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Standard of Care Regulation Continuing Education for Pharmacy Professionals

2026-07-13T10:50:14-05:00July 13th, 2026|Categories: Continuing Education, On-Demand Webinars, Pharmacy Law, Pharmacy Practice, Regulatory Issues|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

This 1-hour, knowledge-based webinar examines how standard of care regulatory models are influencing contemporary pharmacy practice. Participants will compare bright-line regulation and standard of care regulation while exploring how these approaches affect pharmacist and pharmacy technician scope of practice, professional accountability, and patient-centered care.

The webinar reviews the principles of standard of care regulation, the role of professional judgment in pharmacy practice, and examples of evolving regulatory models from across the United States. Participants will also examine how regulatory flexibility can support innovation while maintaining patient safety and accountability.

Topics include:

  • Differences between bright-line and standard of care regulatory models
  • Professional judgment and accountability in pharmacy practice
  • The impact of regulatory approaches on pharmacist and pharmacy technician scope of practice
  • Patient-centered care and access to healthcare services
  • State examples illustrating evolving pharmacy regulatory models

 

Q: Who should attend this webinar?
Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy managers, regulatory professionals, and healthcare professionals interested in pharmacy law, regulatory models, and the future of pharmacy practice.

Q: Will I earn CE credit?
Yes. This activity provides 1 contact hour (0.1 CEU) of ACPE-accredited continuing education for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Explore how standard of care regulation is influencing pharmacy practice, professional judgment, and patient-centered care.

REGISTER HERE!

Note: It is not necessary to create a Lecture Panda account to register for this webinar.


The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. ACA has accredited this knowledge-based program for 1 contact hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing education credit for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Nutrition & Wellness SIG Meeting: “Evaluating Integrative Polypharmacology: Herb–Drug Interactions in Contemporary Practice”

2026-08-12T15:13:40-05:00May 7th, 2026|Categories: nutrition & wellness, Alternative Medicine, Clinical Research, Fellows and Members, Medication Safety, networking, Pharmacy Practice, Wellness|Tags: , , , , |

Mary Beth Babos, PharmD, is a pharmacist, educator, and researcher with interests in integrative medicine, pharmacology, ethnobotany, herbal therapeutics, and rural healthcare access. Her work has focused on the evaluation of herb–drug interactions through analysis of case reports, interaction resources, and pharmacovigilance data to better understand clinical relevance and support evidence-informed decision-making under uncertainty. Dr. Babos has experience teaching across allied health programs and is particularly interested in integrating patient preferences with contemporary standards of care.

Nutrition & Wellness SIG – Evaluating Integrative Polypharmacology: Herb–Drug Interactions in Contemporary Practice

This presentation explores contemporary herb–drug and supplement–drug interactions encountered in modern pharmacy practice, with emphasis on evidence quality, clinical relevance, and decision-making under uncertainty. As patients increasingly combine prescription therapies such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, psychotropics, and cardiovascular agents with cannabinoids, botanicals, adaptogens, and “wellness stacks,” pharmacists are uniquely positioned to evaluate potential risks and guide safe use. Through real-world cases and analysis of commonly used interaction resources, attendees will examine the challenges of interpreting conflicting evidence to distinguish theoretical from clinically meaningful interactions.

Did you miss the meeting, listen now!  CLICK HERE

Compounding SIG Meeting: USP <795> & <800>: Powder Containment Solutions with AirClean Systems

2026-04-27T12:10:57-05:00April 27th, 2026|Categories: compounding, Community Pharmacy, Compliance, Pharmacy Practice, Public/Community Health, Quality Assurance, USP 795, USP 800|Tags: , , , , , |

Title: USP <795> & <800>: Powder Containment Solutions with AirClean Systems

Host:  Joah Sundrani
Panelists: Alanna Zow, M.S. Med. Sci., Technical Sales Specialist

Description: Learn about key USP <795> and <800> requirements for powder handling and containment. Alanna will highlight best practices for maintaining compliance, product integrity, and personnel safety, along with recommended solutions from AirClean Systems to minimize exposure and support efficient workflows.

This meeting will not offer CE. This meeting will be recorded.

This meeting is open to all Pharmacy Professionals, FREE for ACA Members, $10 for non-members, registration is required.

In addition, members of the Compounding SIG (Formerly Faculty) will have exclusive access to an online community.

Our Speaker:

Alanna Zow, M.S. Med. Sci., is a Technical Sales Specialist with AirClean Systems. She partners with customers across a diverse range of industries—including research, education, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and medical fields—to identify and deliver fume hood and enclosure solutions that support both process integrity and personnel safety.

Alanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of South Florida and a Master of Science in Medical Sciences from the University of Kentucky. Her academic background, combined with her technical expertise, enables her to effectively assess customer applications, understand key challenges, and recommend tailored solutions that align with their operational and safety requirements.

Loading…

 

Nutrition & Wellness Faculty Meeting: “Empowered by Design: Pharmacogenomics in Personalized Care”

2026-04-28T15:05:43-05:00February 24th, 2026|Categories: nutrition & wellness, Alternative Medicine, Fellows and Members, Medication Safety, networking, Pharmacogenomics, Pharmacy Practice|Tags: , , , , |

Sue Paul — Formatted Headshot

Sue Paul, RPh, is a pharmacist, entrepreneur and small business owner with over 30 years of experience in the industry.

After journeying through the traditional pharmacy avenues of retail, nursing home consulting, and hospital, she founded SyneRxgy (pronounced si·nr·jee) Consulting LLC, a concierge pharmacy service that is registered as a Limited Category 2 Pharmacy in the State of Ohio.  SyneRxgy assists patients and physicians in managing chronic disease states including medication adjustments and education, implementing and analyzing pharmacogenomic and
nutrigenomic testing for patients, and compiling/reviewing current medication lists for patients. She enjoys educating clients on all aspects of medication to empower them to take control of their health. Current worksites include physician offices, employer worksites, and in-home
patient visits.

In 2018, Sue co-founded PGx101, LLC along with Dan Krinsky, RPh, MS, which offers pharmacists 20 hours of ACPE approved continuing education and a certificate in Pharmacogenomics (PGx). She has been using PGx in her clinic and with home patients to implement patient-centered medication modification in conjunction with their providers since 2016.

In 2017, Sue co-founded, Medipreneurs LLC, an international conference and community for pharmacy entrepreneurs. She gets a kick out of empowering other pharmacists to dream about how they would practice if there weren’t any barriers. She is active in local, state and national professional organizations including board member and President of the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Ted and four adult children (Megan, Emily, Ian, and Evan), reading, walking with friends, and brainstorming with others about action plans to get from where they are to where they want to be.

Did you miss the meeting?  Click here to view

“Empowered by Design: Pharmacogenomics in Personalized Care”

Description: Many patients accumulate medications because of ineffective or poorly tolerated therapies.

This presentation briefly reviews how pharmacogenomic testing can interrupt that cycle, guide precision prescribing, and open the door to meaningful medication reduction. Pharmacogenomics represents a unique opportunity to elevate clinical services, strengthen provider relationships, and differentiate care. By integrating pharmacogenomic insights, independent pharmacists can identify medication-related problems more precisely, support optimized therapy selection, and position themselves as essential partners in personalized patient care—improving outcomes while expanding the pharmacy’s clinical and professional impact.

Hazardous Drug Handling Continuing Education for Pharmacy Personnel | 6-Hour PTCB-Recognized CE

2026-03-19T14:15:55-05:00February 20th, 2026|Categories: Continuing Education, Compliance, Hazardous drug handling, Home Study, Patient Safety, Pharmaceutical Training, Pharmacy Practice, Regulatory Issues, USP 800|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Hazardous Drug Handling – Primer for Pharmacy Personnel is a 6-hour (0.6 CEUs) knowledge-based home study designed for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who handle hazardous drugs in any practice setting.

This program reviews key requirements under USP <800>, including engineering controls, negative pressure rooms, PPE, cleaning and decontamination procedures, hazardous drug dispensing, receiving and transport, disposal requirements, medical surveillance, and wipe sampling. Participants will also review the NIOSH list and understand how to assess risk and develop compliant SOPs within their facility.

The course emphasizes practical steps to reduce occupational exposure and strengthen documentation and training practices.

This home study is PTCB-Recognized as an Education/Training Program and may help pharmacy technicians prepare for the CPhT-Adv Advanced Certification in Hazardous Drug Management.

Strengthen hazardous drug handling practices and reinforce USP <800> compliance through structured training designed to protect both patients and pharmacy personnel.

What participants said:

  • “informative, concise, and easy to comprehend.”
  • “I can take and apply this knowledge in my current pharmacy.”
  • “It was very organized and easy to follow.”

Registration is below

Note: It is not necessary to create a Lecture Panda account to register for this home study.

The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. ACA has accredited this knowledge-based program for 6 contact hours (0.6 CEUs) of continuing education credit for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Canadian Non-Sterile Compounding Standards: Continuing Education for Pharmacy Professionals

2026-08-21T10:45:18-05:00February 10th, 2026|Categories: Compliance, compounding, compounding training, Continuing Education, Documentation, Home Study, Pharmaceutical Training, Pharmacy Practice, Policies & Procedures, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Issues, Risk Management, SOPs|Tags: , , , , , , , |

This 6.0-hour (0.6 CEUs) knowledge-based home study is designed for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians involved in non-sterile compounding who want a clear understanding of Canadian regulatory standards and how they apply to day-to-day practice. The course focuses on reviewing current standards and best practices used to evaluate compounding procedures, develop pharmacy protocols, and apply appropriate quality controls to support the safety and effectiveness of non-sterile preparations for both patients and staff.


Documents Covered

  • Guidance on Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Sterile Preparations

  • Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Sterile Preparations

  • Printable and fillable forms to support documentation and recordkeeping


Topics Covered

  • Canadian regulatory guidelines and non-sterile compounding standards

  • Identifying risks and gaps in current compounding practices

  • Requirements for different levels of non-sterile compounding

  • Facility, equipment, and documentation expectations

  • Product and preparation requirements

  • Additional considerations for Level C non-sterile compounding


Who This Home Study Is For

  • Pharmacists involved in non-sterile compounding

  • Pharmacy technicians supporting compounding activities

  • Pharmacy professionals looking for a clearer understanding of Canadian non-sterile compounding standards

Review Canadian non-sterile compounding standards and understand how regulatory expectations apply to everyday pharmacy practice. 

What participants said:

  • “This course provided a very thorough and succinct explanation of all relevant information needed to safely implement compounding into the pharmacy workflow.”
  • “The instructor very clearly explained these concepts in a well-organized manner for the audience to comprehend.”
  • “The session provided a clear overview of current guidelines, easy access to commonly used compounding resources, and practical checklists that support safe compounding practices.”

Registration is below

Note: It is not necessary to create a Lecture Panda account to register for this home study.

Important note for Canadian participants:
Participants who are not receiving ACPE credit, including Canadian learners whose provincial regulatory bodies may not accept ACPE-accredited activities, will receive a Certificate of Completion upon successful completion of the post-test and evaluation. Certificates may be downloaded for personal records. Canadian pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are encouraged to confirm with their provincial college whether ACPE-accredited activities or certificates of completion meet their continuing competency requirements.


The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. ACA has accredited this knowledge-based program for 6 contact hours (0.6 CEUs) of continuing education credit for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Go to Top