Pharmacogenomics

CAUTION: thinking about the cytochrome P450 enzyme pathway may bring on kinetics lecture flashbacks.

As genomic testing increases in popularity, pharmacists need to place themselves at the forefront of interpreting and recommending medication changes with the test results.  Some labs are even contracting with pharmacies in accordance with state law to be able to swab patients for testing and send the swab directly to the test lab.  Other pharmacies are referring patients to have this done at the prescriber's office, then interpreting the results for the prescriber.  This creates an exciting new niche opportunity for pharmacists to navigate

Pros:
 --PGx sets your community pharmacy apart from the big box retail pharmacies
 --Improves relationships with doctors by tackling complex medication regimens
 --Helps advance the profession of pharmacists as a valuable member of the healthcare team
 --Once in a lifetime test
 --Can guide MTM
 --Peace of mind for your patients knowing they are one the "right drug"
 --May be covered by insurance

Cons:
 --May not be covered by insurance
 --Another time-consuming task
 --Training
 --Market not yet interested
 --Reimbursement structure not yet worked out

There are still many questions being raised about the possibility of adding this exciting new clinical service to your community pharmacy.  As technology improves, I believe genomic testing services will become a standard of treatment.  Community pharmacy should be poised and ready to tackle this exciting opportunity.

Would you add Pharmacogenomics (PGx) to your pharmacy's clinical services?  Would it be the right fit for your store and patients?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Blair Green Thielemier, PharmD is an independent clinical consultant pharmacist living and working in the Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri.  Dr. Thielemier is committed to helping advance the practice of pharmacy through providing training and guiding implementation of new clinical services in community pharmacy.  You can visit the BT Consulting website at http://btpharmacyconsulting.com