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Pharmacogenetics: Looking ahead to 2018
Pharmacogenetics has been around for decades but is moving to the forefront in the medical industry due to the opportunity it provides to improve prescribing safety and efficacy.
Pharmacogenetics: Moving forward in 2018
So where is it headed?
Pharmacogenetics (PGx) is the study of inherited genetic differences in drug metabolic pathways which can affect individual responses to drugs, both in terms of therapeutic effect as well as adverse effects.
More and more healthcare professionals are turning to pharmacogenetics to help guide them in proper prescribing. Driving this trend are the 106,000 deaths and 2.2 Million serious events caused by adverse drug reactions in the US each year.
So why isn’t pharmacogenetics more prevalent in the U.S.?
Some say it is due to cost. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) reimburse for the test because they see it as a “cost savings” long term. According to a study in ncbi.com, economic evaluation studies show that PGx has a positive impact on health-care quality and costs.
Pharmacogenetics, or personalized medicine, plays an important role in the field of aging services. Approximately 44% of men and 57% of women older than age 65 take five or more medications per week; about 12% of both men and women take 10 or more medications per week. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
This is known as polypharmacy, Polypharmacy is the use of multiple medications concurrently by a patient and is most common in the elderly. The most worrisome consequence of polypharmacy is the occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), but increased drug costs and patient quality of life are also a concern. Among older adults, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) due to medication can be very serious, including falls, depression, confusion, hallucinations, and malnutrition.
So what can we do to help prevent polypharmacy and the long-term health effects and costs of polypharmacy?
Education is the key. Educating physicians, pharmacists and all healthcare providers on the benefits, both health and financial in implementing pharmacogenetics into their day-to-day patient care. Knowing what each individual patient can, and cannot metabolize properly “before” trying the old trial and error method of prescribing can save time, money and lives. As a patient, you deserve to know and choose what is available for your healthcare options. That’s why patient-centered care is a top priority in 2018.
If the use of personalized medicine is widely adopted and used, it will make medical trials more efficient. It can lower the costs due to adverse drug side effects and prescription of drugs that have been proven ineffective in certain genotypes.
For more information on pharmacogenetics, contact PGx Medical, info@pgxmed.com or 405-509-5112.
source: ncbi.com, medscape.com, wikipedia.com
Pharmacogenetics: 2017 A Year At A Glance
2017 was another big year for PGx Medical with new partnerships, more education opportunities, and expanded testing across the country.
We want to start by saying “thank you” to all the wonderful clinical partners we’ve had the privilege to work with. Your endless hours and passion to improve healthcare doesn’t go unnoticed. I would also like to thank the employees of PGx Medical. We have added some new faces to our corporate office and we are truly blessed to have such a wonderful team!
Our focus in 2017 has been improving the life and quality of care in older adults through person-centered care and education. We have continued and expanded our partnerships with professionals in the healthcare industry. Dr. Linda Shell, MA, RN has traveled around the country educating LTC nurses and clinical staff on incorporating pharmacogenetics testing into patient care to help with polypharmacy and the cascading effect it has on our senior population. Dr. Shell has been instrumental in expanding the PGx program into other states and multiple aging services organizations.
Throughout the year, PGx Medical has offered free educational webinars and had the privilege to speak to hundreds of physicians, nurses and administrators via webinar or at state and national conferences. With an estimated 100,000 deaths and upwards of two million serious adverse drug reactions in the U.S. each year related to prescription drug use, PGx has made it our goal to focus on education and personalized medicine.
In 2017, PGx Medical partnered with one of the largest Oklahoma state agencies. Through this collaboration, PGx was able to help reduce the cost of medications, while providing important medication management information to physicians, nurses, and clinics across our state.
One of the biggest stories of the year has been the opioid epidemic that is affecting thousands across the country. The PGx Medical program, via pharmacogenetics testing, has been vital in providing important patient-specific information on how those medications are being processed genetically for each individual. This information has helped guide healthcare teams in dosage adjustment and discontinuing potentially harmful medications.
We also had the privilege to partner with pharmacists who understand the importance of proper prescribing and the risks involved when a patient is on medications their body doesn’t metabolize properly. These partners have played an active role in educating others on outcomes based on changes from test results. We are humbled by their willingness to share these stories and appreciate their partnership.
Pharmacogenetics testing isn’t new. It has been around for decades but is coming to the forefront of medication management. We are excited to see that continue in 2018 and how pharmacogenetics will play a part in the new CMS regulatory requirements for unnecessary drugs.
We appreciate our long-lasting relationships with current clients and look forward to new partnerships in the coming year.
Enjoy the holidays! As always, you can contact us anytime with questions, comments or to schedule an appointment or speaking engagement.
Clay Bullard, President
PGx Medical
PGx Medical
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
www.pgxmed.com
405-509-5112
info@pgxmed.com
Why A Drug Works Well For Some, But Not For Others
If you’ve ever had a loved one suffer from an adverse drug reaction, you’ll understand this post.
Clay Bullard, President
PGx Medical
It is estimated that 6.7% of hospitalized patients have a serious adverse drug reaction with a fatality rate of 0.32%. These statistics do not include the number of ADRs that occur in ambulatory settings. Also, it is estimated that over 350,000 ADRs occur in U.S. nursing homes each year. ~FDA.gov
ADRs are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in health care. So what can we do to stop this ever-growing problem? Or at least slow it down.
“One of the first areas we feel is the most important is education. Educating providers and patients on the tools and resources available to help reduce ADRs is crucial,” said Clay Bullard, President of PGx Medical.
Clay, who is the president and founder of PGx Medical, travels around the country educating healthcare professionals on pharmacogenetics testing. His story is personal and started several years ago when his wife, in her early 30’s at the time, was diagnosed with an aggressive, degenerative form of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Most all of the physicians they consulted were not providing much hope or direction for treatment, other than the standard “Let’s try this and see what happens”. As the father of two young daughters and a third one on the way, his response to the “trial and error” approach was not a calm one. “It is difficult to watch a love one suffer, not to mention the potential financial costs and loss of valuable time that this approach entails,” said Bullard.
During the process of working with physicians who had a different approach and plan, Clay was introduced to the science of Pharmacogenetics. The idea of avoiding “trial and error” and having a “personalized treatment plan” for pharmaceutical usage captivated him and started his professional journey with what is now, PGx Medical.
PGx Medical is a leader in the pharmacogenetics industry and focuses on the field of aging services. Studies show people age 65 and older make up 12 percent of the U.S. population, but account for 34 percent of all prescription medication use and 30 percent of all over-the-counter medication use. Among older adults, adverse reactions due to medication can be very serious, including falls, depression, confusion, hallucinations and malnutrition. ADRs increases exponentially after a patient is on 4 or more medications.
So why does a drug work for one person, and won’t work for someone else?
Pharmacogenetics is the study of inherited genetic differences in metabolic pathways which can affect individual responses to drugs, both in terms of therapeutic effect as well as adverse effects.
Individual patient response to medications is influenced by genetic variation in the enzymes responsible for drug metabolism as well as targeted receptors and transporters.
The majority of drugs enter the body and have to be metabolized before giving good therapy. Knowing what genetic variants are present or not, leads to more effective medication prescribing.
When a provider prescribes a medication, they take a lot of outside factors into account, but they don’t really know your unique genetic makeup. Pharmacogenetics is a simple swab of the cheek and will provide this important information to help make more informed decisions.
If you or a loved one is on multiple medications, ask your physician about pharmacogenetics testing. Or contact PGx Medical at (405) 509-5112 or info@pgxmed.com to request more information.
source: FDA.gov, medscape.com
Are you on the right medications?
Are the medications you’re taking the right ones for you?
Studies show 20 percent of Americans are on at least five prescription medications. How would you know if they are giving you therapy – or they are doing more harm than good?
Some medications have the “placebo” effect. A placebo is anything that seems to be a “real” medical treatment — but isn’t. It could be a pill, a shot, or some other type of “fake” treatment. Many people are on medications their body doesn’t even have the ability to metabolize. So in other words, it has the “placebo effect” because they are receiving no therapy from this drug and it could be costly. Or worse, you could be on a medication that is not right for your genetic make-up, or may interact with another medication you are taking. This can cause an adverse drug reaction. Unfortunately, ADRs are one of the leading cause of death in the U.S. with over 120,000 people dying each year.
Now there is a simple cheek swab that can help identify how your genes affect your bodies response to medications. Pharmacogenetic tests look for changes or variants in your genes that may determine whether a medication is effective for you or whether you may have side effects to a specific medication.
Some indications for use are:
- People who have a diagnosis of depression or bipolar disorder
- Current medication regimen includes use of antipsychotic medication
- Current medication regimen has five or more medications
- Behaviors – Aggressive or disruptive behaviors unresolved by current medication regimen
- Uncontrolled pain
- History of falls
- Re-hospitalization
Studies have shown that incorporating genetic factors into the medication prescribing process can improve efficacy and reduce adverse drug effects.
For more information on implementing pharmacogenetics into your LTC community, or to schedule a free educational webinar on pharmacogenetics, contact PGx Medical at info@pgxmed.com or 405-509-5112.
#GivingTuesday – Give Life Back to our Elderly
Thank a Caregiver
As we wind down our week and start to prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, we want to say how very thankful we are for the many men and women who spend countless hours caring for our elderly. Many of the residents in long term care communities don’t have family to spend the holidays with and over the years, we have witnessed the love and generosity of LTC staff who spend it with them and make them feel special. Words cannot express how grateful we are to partner with these caregivers. During Thanksgiving and throughout the year, we want to publicly say thank you. If you see a caregiver, whether on staff, a family member or friend, be sure and stop and tell them how much they are appreciated.
Happy Thanksgiving from the PGx Medical Team #grateful #LTC #caregiver