Pharmacogenetics
Prediction of Response to Medication
Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a leading cause of
morbidity and mortality in the US each year. Preventable
ADEs are a major source of litigation: In the last
decade ADE-related lawsuits have increased over 30% and
settlements average $3.1 million.1 A recent review
noted that most of the preventable ADEs were due to
incorrect dosing and
poor drug selection rather than to lapses in
attention.1
The field of pharmacogenomics provides an increasing
ability to predict ADEs based on variations in drug
metabolism genes. Based on available data showing that
this technology has the potential to significantly
reduce the number of preventable ADEs, the FDA has
decided to make pharmacogenomic warnings a mainstay of
drug safety. Warfarin is a recent example.
At Helix Health, our physicians trained in
pharmacology evaluate and apply clinically valid
pharmacogenetic testing, improving your ability to guide
therapy for your patients.
Click here for an example
of a patient who had an adverse drug event that could
have been predicted by pharmacogenetic testing.
Continue reading about other indications for Helix
Health consultation:
Inherited Cancer Risk
Predisposition to chronic diseases such as stroke,
diabetes and heart disease
Preconception
Genetic Evaluation - likelihood of
transmitting inherited diseases to future children
- Kelly WN. Potential risks and prevention, Part 4:
Reports of significant adverse drug events. Am J
Health-Syst Pharm. 2001; 58(15):1406-12
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