MTM and Pharmacogenomic Testing…a perfect fit
Blair Green Thielemier, PharmD
Pharmacy Times
Genetic testing has come a long way since completion of the project. Now pharmacists and physicians can use pharmacogenomic test results to help choose safer and more effective medications for their patients. An article posted on Crain’s Chicago Business website featured a physician clinic in Illinois that is doing preemptive genotyping: NorthShore University’s HealthSystems clinic is building a program that will screen patients and use DNA test results to guide therapies.
Another recent study, this one published in the Journal of Medical Economics and conducted at the University of Utah, used cytochrome P450 pharmacogenetic profiling in clinical decision making for elderly patients. The study results found that the hospitalization rate of the genotype-tested group was 6.3 percentage points lower than the untested cohort: 9.8% versus 16.1%, respectively. The estimated potential cost savings was $218 (mean) in the genotype-tested group.2 The study also found that among the health care providers of the genotype-tested group, 95% of providers found the test “helpful” and 46% followed the clinical decision support tool recommendations for therapy changes. The Mayo Clinic is conducting similar studies on the effectiveness of preemptive genotyping, developing clinical decision-making support tools of its own and planning integration of test results into its electronic medical record (EMR).
No one understands medication management better than a pharmacist. So why not help guide them by determining upfront which medications a patient can actually metabolize? A simple swab of the cheek can help lower healthcare costs and improve the quality of life for our seniors.
Read entire article at: pharmacytimes.com
For more information on pharmacogenomic testing, or how you can implement pharmacogenomics, contact:
PGx Medical
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
info@pgxmed.com
405-509-5112