SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, USA, September 6, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Intermountain Precision Genomics Core Laboratory located in St. George, Utah announces the introduction of “RxMatch™”, a new service to all Intermountain Healthcare providers. This new service will enable physicians to implement personalized medicine when prescribing medications.
Pharmacogenomics, often called PGx, is a relatively new advancement in the realm of personalized medicine. PGx, an abbreviation for Pharmacogenomics, blends: medications (pharma), human genomics (through a DNA sample) and Rx, the symbol commonly used for prescription medications (meaning, “take”). PGx is the study of how genes affect a patient’s response to medication.
Intermountain Precision Genomics launched the RxMatch™ Anti-Depressant Panel on September 5.
Officials from Intermountain Healthcare and CNSDose announced that Intermountain Precision Genomics RxMatch™ Antidepressant Panel will be powered by CNSDose. CNSDose is a company chosen by Intermountain to deliver decision support based on cutting-edge knowledge of liver and blood-brain-barrier metabolism of antidepressant medications. This test allows physicians to utilize patients’ genomics to find the right antidepressant faster than using current trial and error methods.
According to Mark Heinemeyer, CEO of CNSDose, “CNSDose provides a best-in-class resource backed by research. CNSDose is the most rigorously tested tool on the market and is proven to ‘Fast-Track Finding the Right Antidepressant.’” In a recently conducted randomized controlled study, CNSDose demonstrated a 250% improvement in remission rates for patients suffering from depression over a 3-month period, as well as reduced side effects. Heinemeyer adds, “We’re thrilled to be working with Intermountain Healthcare to get CNSDose into the hands of more patients suffering from the debilitating effects of depression.”
The rollout to Intermountain Healthcare physicians will start with a pilot program in Southwest Utah. Patients will supply a DNA sample using a cheek swab collected in their physician’s office. The DNA sample will then be analyzed at Intermountain Precision Genomics Core Laboratory in St. George. According to David Loughmiller, Laboratory Manager for Intermountain Precision Genomics, “The objective of the RxMatch™ project is to provide the most comprehensive and evidence based information to the physician, thus decreasing the amount of time and money spent to achieve the correct medication at the lowest possible cost to the patient.”
To request training, or to order an RxMatch™ Starter Kit for a physician office, please call (435) 251-5780 or visit www.Intermountain.com/RxMatch.
Intermountain Healthcare is a Utah-based, not-for-profit system of 22 hospitals, 180 clinics, a Medical Group with some 1,500 employed physicians, a health plans division called SelectHealth, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare through high quality and sustainable costs. For more information about Intermountain, visit intermountainhealthcare.org.
