Independent community pharmacies today are looking for diversified revenue opportunities to differentiate their businesses, improve patient outcomes and boost their bottom lines.
Fruth Pharmacy, a family-owned regional pharmacy chain with locations in western West Virginia and southern Ohio, took advantage of such an opportunity.
In November of last year, the pharmacy began offering Rxight, a comprehensive pharmacogenetics program developed by MD Labs, a CLIA-certified laboratory specializing in pharmacogenetic testing.
A closer look at pharmacogenetics
Pharmacogenetics uses information about a person’s genetic profile to identify drugs that may be ineffective or that cause potentially dangerous drug reactions.
Pharmacogenetic testing can determine how patients will metabolize and process certain drugs based on their DNA. This enables providers to choose the best medication and dosage for them.
Genetic testing can eliminate the trial-and-error process many patients go through to find a medication that works for them. And, the test can serve as a medication guide for the rest of the patient’s life.
The Rxight test covers more than 200 prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications in 14 therapeutic classes.
The medication classes covered include:
- Pain
- Blood pressure
- Blood thinner
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Respiratory issues
The testing process
The test is simple.
First, a patient gets the lab test authorized by her physician. She then visits Fruth Pharmacy to purchase the Rxight test and have her cheek swabbed.
The pharmacy receives the test results in five to seven days, and a pharmacist trained in pharmacogenetics conducts a Personalized Medication Review®.
During the review, the pharmacist discusses the results with the patient.
The drugs are divided into three categories:
- Consider alternatives
- Use with caution
- Standard precautions
After the review, the pharmacist coordinates care with the patient’s physician, who can consult the test results when writing future prescriptions.
An innovative offering
Pharmacogenetic testing allows pharmacists to get to know their patients better.
It also presents a new opportunity for pharmacists and physicians to work together to achieve improved patient outcomes, which benefits the entire health care system.
And, pharmacogenetics testing can boost the pharmacy’s bottom line by generating additional revenue and attracting new patients.
When independent community pharmacies offer innovative services, like the pharmacogenetics program at Fruth Pharmacy, they provide high-quality care and grow their businesses.
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