by brant bullard | Jun 7, 2016 | Metabolic Validation Program
Pharmacogenetics, also now known as pharmacogenomics, is the study of genetic variability in the response to drug treatment.
Past:
The Human Genome Project was published in 2003, which was a large collaboration targeted at understanding the effects that the human genome can have on physiological functions, particularly the response to pharmaceuticals.
Present:
Presently pharmacogenetics is used to target drugs according to the specific genetic makeup of each patient and has tangible benefits in practice, if implemented correctly. Healthcare professionals need to be educated on the process as well as implementing any recommended changes based on the individual’s test report. Since the pharmacogenetic test is a once-in-a-lifetime test, the results are not only good for their current medication regimen, it is also a roadmap for future medications. This is why ongoing education is so important. (more…)
by brant bullard | Jul 30, 2015 | News
There are 7 billion people on Earth. We’re entering an age of remarkable potential for personalized medicine to save and improve lives like never before. ~forbes.com~
Your genome is a complete set of your DNA. It holds all information for creating and maintaining you. As a human, yours has more than 3 billion DNA base pairs.
In short, it’s your human blueprint, your personal instruction manual.
What if we told you that with a single buccal swab of the cheek, we could analyze your individual make-up and know what drugs your body can metabolize, and which ones you can’t? We can, it’s called personalized medicine.
Past: Trial-and-Error
Present: Targeted, Personalized Medicine
Medications and geriatrics:
When you are dealing in the geriatric population, time matters. Days matter. At PGx Medical, our goal is to educate healthcare professionals across the country on the tools and resources available. “One day, and one day soon, I believe this will be the new normal. Metabolic Validation, via pharmacogenomic testing, will be mandatory for everyone with medical necessity before prescribing medications. Doing away with the guess work and knowing exactly what a person has the ability to metabolize, that will be part of standard of care,” said Clay Bullard, President of PGx Medical.
It’s a misconception that this tool will tell you what to do. It is a resource available that maps out an individual’s blueprint. A road map of sorts. It will guide healthcare professionals when dosing patients and help take away the old “trial-and-error” process that we have lived by for so many years. Can you imagine knowing the “first” time that you are on the right medication? And that your body will metabolize it the way the manufacturer of the drug intended for you to?
That’s the beauty of personalized medicine.
This tool wasn’t designed to decrease the amount of medications a patient is on. But to help them get on the appropriate medications. Medications their body can metabolize. According to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, on average, individuals 65 to 69 years old take nearly 14 prescriptions per year, individuals aged 80 to 84 take an average of 18 prescriptions per year. And 15% to 25% of drug use in seniors is considered unnecessary or otherwise inappropriate and 36% of all reported adverse drug reactions involve an elderly individual. And today there are over 43.1 million adults aged 65 and older in the United States; by 2040, that number will rise to 79.7 million. Those numbers are stagering when you think about drug use and healthcare costs in seniors.
Is it affordable?
Currently in the U.S. CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), reimburses for pharmacogenomic testing. In short, you could know exactly what medications your patients can metabolize and it is covered by Medicare B. Medicaid reimburses in select states, and most private insurance companies cover the test with normal copays and deductibles.
Personalized medicine has been around for decades. So why now?
Personalized medicine, via pharmacogenomic testing, has been around for many years. But up until the last 5 years, it wasn’t affordable. Now that insurance companies are covering the test and CMS is reimbursing for the test, it has now moved to the forefront of the healthcare industry and is seen as a way to help cut healthcare costs. But many healthcare professionals still aren’t aware this tool even exists – or that this is an option in their day-to-day care.
“We work with physicians that won’t see a patient until they have a pharmacogenomic test done first. If that patient has medical necessity, then those physicians make sure they have their patients on the right medications,” said Bullard. “It’s just part of their patient care.”
How do I get tested?
A pharmacogenomic test comes on a doctors order. For individuals who want to be tested, get with your physician and request a test. For physicians or pharmacists who want to include this in their patient care, contact us and we will get you the information necessary to get you started.
The PGx Medical Metabolic Validation Program is available to review on a secure online portal within 48 hours from the time our lab receives the sample.
Helping people live longer…better! That is our goal.
PGx Medical
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
www.pgxmed.com
info@pgxmed.com
405-509-5112
Sources: forbes.com, www.ascp.com
by brant bullard | Jul 6, 2015 | Metabolic Validation Program
PGx Medical provides test results that provide clinicians with valuable patient-specific information to make better therapeutic treatment decisions.
Pharmacogenetics uses information about a person’s genetic makeup, or genome, to choose drugs and drug doses that are likely to work best for that particular person.
What causes so much variablity in drug response among individuals?
Much of the variation in drug response is a result of genetic differences and drug interactions in addition to environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle.
How do genomic differences cause this variablity?
Research shows that genes of the cytochrome P450 family directly correlate with how individuals metabolize many common psychiatric medications. If a clinician knows ahead of time tht a resident would metabolize certain drugs too quickly (UM) or slowly (PM), they can make more informed medication decisions and reduce the likelihood of side effects and medication failures.
How does PGx help a clinician with medication management?
PGx Medical provides the clinician with a personalized report indicating which medications may be more or less appropriate based on the individuals metabolic profile.
Which genes are analyzed?
We analyze multiple genes of the cytochrome P450 family linked to a person’s metabolic capabilities for many medication categories. In addition to cytochrome P450, we analyze 19 genes associated with medication response.
Which medications are included in the reports?
Over 100 of the most commonly prescribed, FDA-approved medications in the following categories:
Behavioral Health: Antidepressants, anti-anxieties, and anti-psychotics
Pain: Analgesic medications
Cardiovascular: Cardio and anti-coagulants
Is it affordable?
Medicare B covers 100% of the testing cost and PGx Medical does not balance bill. We also have medicaid coverage in many states. In addition, many commercial insurance plans reimburse for the testing.
How do I get more information on the PGx Medical Metabolic Validation program?
Contact one of our consultants across the country.
Call: 405-509-5112
Email: info@pgxmed.com
RIGHT DRUG, RIGHT DOSE, RIGHT PERSON
by brant bullard | Feb 10, 2015 | News
Oklahoma based PGx Medical expands to Houston, Texas.
Sarah Corbin and Jennifer Dvorak, PGx Medical Consultants
In October 2014, PGx Medical expanded their business to Houston, TX. Sarah Corbin and Jennifer Dvorak will handle the Texas region for PGx. PGx Medical is currently partnered with clients across the country, but recently decided to expand their footprint to the Texas area.
“Pharmacogenomics isn’t new. In fact, it has been around for decades,” said Clay Bullard, President of PGx Medical.
PGx Medical works with clinics, pharmacists and LTC facilities across the country. Their team works alongside healthcare professionals to determine how best to incorporate and implement Metabolic Validation via pharmacogenomics into their patient care.
“I’m excited about Jennifer and Sarah coming on-board,” said Bullard. “They have years of experience and are very knowledgeable on our Metabolic Validation tool. They are a great addition to our team.”
For more information contact:
PGx Medical
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
info@pgxmed.com
405-509-5112
by brant bullard | Jan 14, 2015 | News
“In the next 5-10 years, pharmacogenomics will revolutionize medicine and the way in which drugs are developed” – Global Business Insight
By identifying differences between patients’ genetic makeup and the effect this has on drug response, pharmacogenomics has the potential to reduce medical costs, improve drug development and therapy and cause a shift from treatment to prevention.
It is not surprising then, “that many leading industry figures believe pharmacogenomics will revolutionize the face of pharmaceutical drug development and, consequently, clinical practice”.
Pharmacogenomics and Drug Therapy:
Selection of appropriate drug and dose for the individual patient in order to:
- Achieve optimal therapeutic response
- Avoid therapeutic failure
- Minimize side effects and toxicity
The value of the metabolic validation tool, via pharmacogenomic testing, is to predict and select right drug, right dose for the right person. Making patient care more effective and improving quality of life.
For more information on pharmacogenomics, contact:
PGx Medical
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
405-509-5112
info@pgxmed.com
Source:
oecd.org
AAPS.org
(more…)
