Who Is Affected? Employers and their workforces can benefit from understanding how medications impact productivity and well-being. Employees who experience severe side effects or ineffective treatments may have higher absenteeism, reduced efficiency, and increased health care costs.

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” approach, PGx helps personalize prescriptions, reducing harmful side effects and improving treatment effectiveness, which leads to a healthier and more productive workforce.

When Should Employers Consider PGx Testing? If your company offers health benefits, prioritizing PGx testing can help employees taking chronic medications, those with a history of adverse drug reactions, or those who need optimized treatment plans. Offering PGx testing can be an effective way to enhance employee health programs.

Why Is PGx Important for Businesses? Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) lead to 3%-8% of hospital admissions in the U.S., contributing to lost workdays and increased insurance claims. PGx testing can help reduce medication-related complications, leading to fewer sick days, better treatment outcomes, and lower health care costs for employers.

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 allows health care providers to adjust dosages or switch prescriptions for improved treatment. Employers can integrate PGx into their health programs to support employee well-being and ensure safer, more effective medication use.

This Medication Safety Week, consider adding PGx testing to your company’s wellness initiatives. Supporting personalized medicine can lead to a healthier, more productive workforce while reducing health care costs for your organization.