The Veterans Administration (VA) awarded a Federal Supply Schedule contract to Genelex www.genelex.com as a government supplier. The contract makes pharmacogenetics testing accessible to clinicians in the VA so the patients can immediately benefit from precision medicine.
Also, healthcare providers in the Department of Defense, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons will have access to this testing technology with the intent to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient care.
The YouScript www.YouScript.com Precision Prescribing System developed by Genelex, helps eliminate adverse drug events caused by the cumulative impact of multiple medications and genetic variations missed by current drug interaction systems.
Tests available to veterans include the YouScript Psychotropic Test Panel which optimizes treatment for patients suffering from mental health conditions such as PTSD. Also, the YouScript Polypharmacy Panel can help predict response to over three quarters of commonly prescribed medications including those for pain management, mental health, and heart conditions.
Genelex uses a simple cheek swab to detect variations plus staff pharmacists then provide personalized prescribing suggestions using the YouScript software. The software includes over 14,000 curated references on drug and gene interactions and information on how medications are metabolized in a patient’s body.
The results not only reveal drug-gene interactions but also interactions between genes and multiple drugs to help providers find the best treatment for patients. After testing, providers can access YouScript in a secure web-based portal to try new drugs in a clinical decision support tool rather than in a patient’s body. The software is also able to integrate directly into EHRs and other healthcare software systems.
Kristine Ashcraft, Genelex CEO stated, “My father, grandmother, and brother are all veterans. Having first-hand knowledge of the sacrifices they made, makes me especially proud to know that this technology is now available to make sure that those who have served are getting access to the safest and most effective medication choices.”
For more information, go to www.YouScript.com/movie to see a three minute movie on precision prescribing.