by PGx Medical | Dec 31, 2017 | Uncategorized
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
by PGx Medical | Dec 19, 2017 | Uncategorized
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
by PGx Medical | Nov 29, 2017 | Uncategorized
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.
by PGx Medical | Nov 28, 2017 | Uncategorized
Today is #GivingTuesday. Giving Tuesday is a movement to create an international day of giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season. Giving Tuesday was started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation as a response to commercialization and consumerism in the post-Thanksgiving season (Black Friday and Cyber Monday).
PGx Medical works to help improve the quality of life in seniors across the country through medication management, via pharmacogenetics testing. We don’t have one particular organization to promote this #GivingTuesday, but we do hope you will keep our elderly in mind.
According to the National Council on Aging, over 25 million Americans aged 60+ are economically insecure—living at or below 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL) ($29,425 per year for a single person). These older adults struggle with rising housing and health care bills, inadequate nutrition, lack of access to transportation, diminished savings, and job loss. For older adults who are above the poverty level, one major adverse life event can change today’s realities into tomorrow’s troubles.
As you consider to give today or anytime throughout the year, please consider an aging services group or organization. With the ongoing healthcare changes and cuts in our nursing home budgets, our elderly population are at risk. We have listed a few below but there are many, many more.
Winston Churchill said it best, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.“
by PGx Medical | Nov 21, 2017 | Uncategorized
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
by brant bullard | Oct 13, 2017 | Uncategorized
Garrett Huxall, Pharm.D, CGP, FASCP Executive Director, PharmCareOK
As a pharmacy consultant with over 20 years of experience and now nursing home owner, I understand that medications and their side effects can critically impact a patients’ care. To aid physicians in their management and choice of medications for various disease states, I have been utilizing pharmacogenetics testing and it allows me to recommend proper medication therapy more quickly and accurately. The tool from PGx Medical replaces the “trial and error” process consultants cannot afford in a nursing home setting.
I have numerous stories on how a pharmacogenetic (PGx) test report impacted my dosage recommendation or regimen changes. However, small adjustments in dosage or selection of a new pharmaceutical agent with guidance from the PGx report, have lead me to now select medications that can be properly metabolized. Where in the past, I would have just gone to the next drug and hoped for a better outcome.
Below are three case studies I have written:
Case Study #1 – [88 year old female Alzheimer patient that was on Aricept, Namenda and Zyprexa because she was frequently falling]. After getting the pharmacogenetics (PGx) test report, we determined she needed a few med changes based upon her genetic profile. There were certain mutations within her system that were not allowing the medication to provide therapy. With the physician’s approval, we immediately transitioned her to a different drug, Geodon. She responded very well to this medication. Now, we have even been able to reduce her dosage of Geodon and she has not fallen since. This is a great outcome as she is on a lower dosage of medication than she was prior to us using the pharmacogenetics test results.
Case Study #2 – [Male patient, multiple med, pain regimen not providing therapy]. This patient was on Lortab, Asprin and an NSAID for several months. Patient continued to complain of strong pain and medication dosages were increased with no effectiveness in pain reduction. Upon requesting a pharmacogenetic test, patient was placed on Dilaudid. Once we reviewed the test results, we were able to lower his dose of Dilaudid, twice daily while continuing with Asprin. Before the test he was taking Lortab, Asprin and an NSAID. We reduced the patients’ pain medications by 50% and he is doing much better. In reducing the medications by 50% we are also helping to eliminate many of the complications often associated with heavy dosages and large regimens of pain medications. We were also able to reduce the cost of treatment to medicare for this patient.
Case Study #3 – [Male LTC resident on multiple medications]. This patient was only on Allopurinol and was then prescribed Lipitor and had a reaction. They thought his reaction was more of a psychotic reaction so they prescribed him Geodon. The patient had a severe reaction and tried to strangle his father. He was then admitted to a Psych Hospital. We then ordered a pharmacogenetics test to determine if his body could even metabolize the medications. By the enzymes we found, the Geodon or any of the new atypical drugs weren’t going to work for him. So we put him on Thorazine and got him calmed down. We then started reducing the Thorazine and now the patient is back on Allopurinol for gout and that is the only prescription medication he is taking. Great outcome!
Previously, without the PGx testing results to guide us, this change may have taken several different methods and a longer time frame to achieve results. It was very reassuring and validating to me that we were able to intervene on a much quicker basis and helped, which is a benefit to the clinical team and the medical director.
Educating the clinical team and medical directors at the facility on the value this tool provides is crucial, as there is no out of pocket costs for residents covered by medicare (and medicaid in select states). It’s important to reassure residents and family members that the medications they are taking are the most appropriate and able to provide proper therapy. A less medicated, cognizant, mobile resident allows for the home to be more efficient and profitable.
For more information on pharmacogenetics testing, contact PGx Medical at info@pgxmed.com or 405-509-5112
