by PGx Medical | Oct 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
Each of us have our own unique genetic profile. So why aren’t our treatment plans tailored to fit us?
Personalized Medicine Is Unique To Each Individual
Twenty years ago the “one size fits all” approach was pretty standard when it came to prescribing medications. But today with the advances in science, healthcare professionals are able to predict your medication response. This information allows doctors to treat each patient as a unique person and tailor treatment to fit.
Many things influence how our bodies respond to medications. Nutrition, drug interactions, environment and yes, genetics. Knowing our genetics can help create an effective treatment plan customized for each individual.
It has been estimated that genetics can account for 20% to 95% of variability in drug disposition and effects as much as 40-60% of adverse drug reactions.
Pharmacogenetic testing can assist in determining if a particular medication will be effective for you, or potentially harmful.
It can improve your quality of life by helping your provider determine the right drug, at the right dose, for your genetic profile. This helps lower costs on unnecessary medications and reduce the risk of possible side effects. This is important for all patients, but particularly in the long term care setting where elderly adults on average take 8 to 10 medications per day.
Now, more than 130 of the most commonly-prescribed drugs include pharmacogenetic guidance, with many including black box warnings.
PGx Medical focuses on educating and implementing pharmacogenetics in the field of aging services. For more information on pharmacogenetics, contact PGx Medical, info@pgxmed.com or 405-996-1564.
by PGx Medical | Mar 13, 2017 | Uncategorized
With so many side effects from psychiatric medications, why aren’t more physicians using pharmacogenetics?
In the U.S. we spend billions of dollars managing the side effects of psychiatric medications.
World wide over 100 million people take psychiatric medications. In 2004, the FDA finally ordered a “black box” label on all antidepressants to warn of psychiatric drugs’ increasing suicide risk in children and adolescents. Being an adult, however, doesn’t guarantee safety. In 2006, the FDA increased the age to include young adults up to age of 25. So why aren’t we doing more about it to prevent this from happening?
Pharmacogenetics aligns current and future medications with each persons unique genetic profile. So if a test can scientifically tell you what medications can give you therapy, which ones can’t, and which drugs can have potential drug on drug interactions based on your genetic make-up.
In the U.S. it is estimated we spend billions of dollars annually managing the side effects from psychiatric medications. Now there is a tool available that can improve patient outcomes and help physicians monitor the side effects in the field of psychiatry and it is simple to use.
Pharmacogenetics is now being used across the country to help guide healthcare professionals with proper prescribing. When used correctly, it can save money and the patient can be spared a lot of undue stress.
For more information, contact PGx Medical at info@pgxmed.com or 405-996-1564.
source: globalhealingcenter.om
by brant bullard | Jun 27, 2016 | News
Pharmacists can provide value by focusing on pharmacogenomics associated with medication use.
Pharmacogenetic Testing in the Pharmacy:
Pharmacogenetics is among the many areas of care in which pharmacists can serve as important collaborators with physicians and patients.
Pharmacists and physicians often team up when it comes to patient care. But when it comes to information related to drug metabolism, it is sometimes difficult for physicians to keep up with, so pharmacists can provide input for the team when it comes to pharmacogenetics. (more…)
by brant bullard | Mar 23, 2015 | News
According to the CDC, each year, millions of adults aged 65 and older fall.
Falls in older adults can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can increase the risk of early death. Fortunately, falls are a public health problem that is largely preventable.
In 2013, 2.5 million non-fatal falls amoung older adults were treated in emergency rooms and more than 734,000 of those patients were hospitalized costing an estimated $34 billion.
(more…)
by brant bullard | Aug 1, 2014 | Metabolic Validation Program
Recently PGx Medical surveyed pharmacists across the country regarding Metabolic Validation. Below are a few responses.
93% of pharmacists said they think it is important to alert Medical Directors and DONs to residents that are currently on medication that have a BLACK BOX WARNING (Plavix, Codeine, Psych, Anti Depressants, etc) and that Metabolic Validation (pharmacogenomics) should be a part of a Pharmacy Consultant role.
An alarming 85.71% said their facility has never implemented a Metabolic Validation program for medication reduction or appropriate medication diagnosis.
42.86% pharmacists surveyed said 80% of the recommended med changes from Pharmacy Consultants are agreed to or implemented by the Medical Directors on average nationwide. 57.14% responded 50% or less med changes were agreed or implemented.
When asked the question: What percentage of residents in LTC facilities would you estimate might be currently taking meds, or enter the facility as a new resident on meds that they are not metabolizing properly, or could be eliminated without significant changes to their quality of life?40% of Pharmacists said 30% and higher.
67% agree that the Pharmacy Consultant should have the most influence in determining medicine regiment changes and appropriate med reductions for existing LTC facility residents.
PGx Medical would like to thank all the Pharmacists who took time to answer our survey. Your input is vital to what we do and we appreciate your feedback.
At PGx Medical we take our job very seriously. Our role as consultants is to help the healthcare community determine the right drug, right dose, for the right person. Through our unique tool “Metabolic Validation Testing” we strive to make it easy for healthcare professionals to incorporate personalized medicine into their patient care.
- Reduce side effects
- Increase clinical response
- Pinpoint appropriate medications for specific diagnosis
For more information on Metabolic Validation Testing and how you can incorporate it into your home, pharmacy or clinic, call 405-996-1564 or email: info@pgxmed.com. Our PGx Medical Team will be happy to assist you.
The PGx Medical Metabolic Validation program is available at no cost to the facility or residents with Medicare Part B and Medicaid (in select states).
PGx Medical
Individualized Care, Personalized Medicine
405-996-1564
Info@pgxmed.com
