Providers across Intermountain Healthcare now have access to RxMatch, the Salt Lake City-based health system's precision genomics service.
Through the program, a physician is able to collect a patient's DNA sample using a cheek swab. The RxMatch Comprehensive Panel then analyzes 97 genes from the DNA sample to determine how a patient will likely respond to various medications, including opioids, statins, immunosuppressants and antidepressants. Physicians can use the panel's results to guide appropriate dosage and prescriptions.
The program falls under the umbrella of pharmacogenomics, or the study of how genetics affect a patient's response to medication.
"The objective of this 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," David Loughmiller, laboratory manager for Intermountain Precision Genomics, said in a May 8 statement.