Who Is Affected? Doctors and health care providers play a crucial role in ensuring patients receive the right medications. Patients who experience severe side effects or ineffective treatments due to genetic differences can benefit from personalized prescriptions guided by pharmacogenomics (PGx). The right drug, the right dose for the right patient.

What Is PGx? Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is the study of how genes affect an individual’s response to medications. Instead of a “one-size-fits-all” or “trial and error” approach, PGx helps doctors personalize prescriptions (the right dose for the right patient), reducing harmful side effects and improving treatment effectiveness, leading to better patient outcomes.

When Should Doctors’ Offices Consider PGx Testing? If your practice treats patients on chronic medications, those with a history of adverse drug reactions, or individuals needing optimized treatment plans, PGx testing can be a valuable addition to your health care services and current protocols. Offering PGx testing can enhance patient safety and improve medication management. Incorporate PGx testing as the standard of care for your patients.

Why Is PGx Important for Health Care Providers? Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) lead to 3%-8% of hospital admissions in the U.S., increasing health care burdens and risks for patients. PGx testing helps reduce medication-related complications, improving patient safety, adherence, and overall treatment success. A study in the U.S. estimated about 4.9% of emergency room visits are due to ADRs. In older adults (65-plus years), this percentage can be higher, reaching 10%-30% of hospital admissions due to ADRs.

How Does PGx Work? A simple at-home mouth swab genetic test analyzes an individual’s metabolism to determine how their body processes medications. This information allows health care providers to adjust dosages or switch prescriptions for improved treatment outcomes. Integrating PGx into your practice can enhance patient care, reduce trial and error prescribing, and improve overall medication safety.

Enhance Patient Care With PGx This Medication Safety Week, consider incorporating PGx testing into your practice. Supporting personalized precision medicine can lead to safer, more effective treatments and improved health outcomes for your patients.