Smarter Prescribing with Pharmacogenomic (PGx) Testing: Personalized Insights for Every Patient
No two patients respond to medications the same way. One person may experience immediate symptom relief, while another may suffer side effects or no benefit at all—despite receiving the exact same prescription.
Today, trial-and-error prescribing is still common, especially in complex patients who take multiple medications. But thanks to pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing, providers can now tailor treatment to a patient’s genetic profile—leading to safer, faster, and more effective outcomes.
At CuraPath Dx, we offer PGx testing that empowers providers with clear, actionable insights to personalize medication management across a wide range of clinical settings, including primary care, behavioral health, pain management, cardiology, and long-term care facilities.
What Is PGx and Why Does It Matter?
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genes influence a person’s response to medications. Many common drugs rely on enzymes to be activated or broken down in the body. Variants in genes like CYP2D6, CYP2C19, SLCO1B1, and VKORC1 can alter this process—affecting how a drug performs or increasing the risk of adverse effects.
PGx testing provides clarity before prescribing by answering questions such as:
- Will this patient respond well to this antidepressant or antipsychotic?
- Are they at risk for opioid toxicity or poor pain control?
- Could this statin or blood thinner cause avoidable side effects?
- Should I consider an alternative drug or lower dose based on metabolism?
These insights are especially valuable in patients taking multiple medications, those with previous treatment failures, or individuals with heightened sensitivity to side effects.
Clinical Applications Across Specialties
PGx testing supports evidence-based decision-making in a wide range of therapeutic areas:
- Behavioral Health: Improve outcomes for patients with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or ADHD by selecting medications most likely to be effective and well-tolerated.
- Pain Management: Optimize opioid and non-opioid choices by identifying poor or ultra-rapid metabolizers.
- Cardiology: Guide therapy for statins, beta-blockers, antiplatelets, and anticoagulants to reduce risk and improve adherence.
- Primary Care & Internal Medicine: Streamline prescribing for patients with chronic conditions or polypharmacy concerns.
- Long-Term Care & Geriatrics: Reduce fall risk, cognitive decline, and hospitalizations in elderly patients through safer medication selection and deprescribing support.
In long-term care environments, where residents often take 8–12 medications and are at high risk for drug-related complications, PGx testing can be especially impactful—supporting personalized, proactive medication reviews that improve quality of care.
Key Features of Our PGx Testing Service
- Comprehensive Gene Coverage:
Our panel includes key pharmacogenes involved in metabolism, transport, and response, including:- CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP1A2, SLCO1B1, VKORC1, UGT1A1, COMT, MTHFR and more.
- Actionable Reports:
Medication guidance is clearly categorized by risk level—Use as Directed, Use with Caution, or Consider Alternatives—across drug classes. - Simple Collection:
A non-invasive buccal swab or saliva sample—no blood draw required. - Fast Turnaround:
Results available within 5–7 business days. - Lifetime Value:
A one-time test provides genetic insight that applies to all future prescribing decisions.
Benefits for Providers and Patients
Clinical Advantages:
- Faster therapeutic response with less trial-and-error
- Reduced risk of adverse drug events
- Improved adherence and patient satisfaction
- Enhanced safety in high-risk patients, including elderly and polypharmacy populations
Operational Advantages:
- Simplifies complex medication reviews
- Supports medication reconciliation during care transitions
- Helps meet quality goals in value-based care programs
- Adds a precision medicine offering to your clinical services
Why Now Is the Time to Adopt PGx Testing
The demand for personalized medicine is growing rapidly—both from clinicians and patients. PGx is now included in clinical guidelines for several conditions, covered by many insurers, and increasingly expected as part of comprehensive care.
Whether you’re a physician managing chronic medications, a nurse practitioner in a behavioral health clinic, or a medical director overseeing a long-term care facility, PGx testing can elevate your prescribing decisions with data that’s easy to interpret—and meaningful for your patients.
Get Started with CuraPath Dx
We provide everything you need to integrate PGx testing into your practice or facility:
- PGx kits and collection training
- Provider-friendly reports with clinical summaries
- Patient education resources
- Ongoing support for implementation and workflow optimization