What Pharmacogenetics Is Not…

1)  It is not for everyone.  While some companies will say you need to test everyone in your entire facility, we disagree. It is our belief that pharmacogenetic testing is only for those with medical necessity.  By identifying patients who are currently diagnosed with a disease or a, family history of, currently being prescribed, or previously prescribed any medications in any of one or combination of the following disease state categories:

Neuro:  Anxiety, Anti-depressants, Psychosis, or ADHD, Analgesic/Pain (migraine, neuropathic, arthritis, musculoskeletal)

Cardiovascular:  Arrhythmia, Hyperlipidemia, Anti-coagulants, Hypertension or Cardiovascular

Thrombophilia:  History of clotting issues, stroke concern predication to falls

2)  It is not a “tell all” final answer for dosing.  Pharmacogenetic testing was designed to be a long term medication management “tool” for healthcare professionals.  It is a guide to help with dosing of current medications, and a roadmap for the future.  It is a once-in-a-lifetime test that will help in medication management and allows the healthcare team to see into an individual’s body to help determine if that individual can metabolize medications as intended by the drug manufacturer.  It helps determine therapy for each patient – individualized care.

3)  It is not all the same.  As we travel around the country educating healthcare professionals of the tools and resources available, we are finding that not all companies offer the same program.  The PGx Medical Metabolic Validation Program is the most easily implemented and has the largest number of genes tested.  Both of these are important as you want to maximize this one time test with as much info as you can get, and be able to read it and make sense of how to use it with each resident.  Also, PGx Medical will come along side your staff after testing to help interpret and implement results of the testing.

4)  It isn’t a way to drain the medicare system.  As we educate healthcare professionals, one common question is, “Is this draining the medicare system?”  and the answer is no.  CMS reimburses 100% for anyone with Mediare B and most private insurance providers cover the program with normal co-pays and deductibles.  They reimburse because they see the program as a “cost savings” long term.  One month of Abilify alone can be upwards of $1,000/month.  And what if a patient doesn’t even have the ability to metabolize the medication?  They are getting no therapy from the drug so it is wasteful spending – with no outcome.  And most seniors are on approximately 6-8 perscription medications, so it is a cost savings to make sure they are on the proper medications.  Not to mention falls, re-hospitalization and other issues related to drug-interactions or being over medicated.

Know what pharmacogenetics isn’t so you can see and utilize the real benefits and value of this no-cost program.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment for education and implementation, contact:

405-509-5112

info@pgxmed.com