FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. and CINCINNATI, May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/
— Medco Research
Institute LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medco Health
Solutions Inc. (NYSE:
MHS), and AssureRx Health Inc.
today announced the initiation of the PREDICT PSYMEDS pilot
[Pharmacogenetic-Directed Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications]
to evaluate antidepressant and antipsychotic drug adherence and
medical care utilization by Medco members after being genotyped
with AssureRx’s GeneSightRx, a
multi-gene pharmacogenetic profile test.
GeneSightRx measures and analyzes multiple clinically important
genetic variants that can help physicians understand the way a
patient’s unique genetic makeup affects his or her ability to
tolerate or effectively respond to certain psychotropic
medications.
“Genetic variations are important considerations for patients
taking psychotropic medications, leading to differences in how
patients tolerate and respond to antidepressants and
antipsychotics,” said Felix Frueh, Ph.D., president, Medco Research
Institute. “The PREDICT PSYMEDS pilot is designed to demonstrate
how pharmacogenetic-guided prescribing can add precision to these
therapies. We hope that we can demonstrate that using such
technology can help improve patient drug response and reduce side
effects, and result in cost savings to payors.”
Medco Research Institute will identify 2,000 Medco members for
GeneSightRx testing who are currently taking one or more of 26
FDA-approved antidepressant and antipsychotic medications and who
switched or added psychotropic medications within a prior
three-month period.
Upon physician test requisition, GeneSightRx testing will
involve participants’ submission of a cheek swab to AssureRx’s
dedicate
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