An Alternative to the Hype of the HIMSS16 Show Floor

Dave Garets, Healthcare IT industry analyst I know what you’re thinking: “Garets is mouthing off again. Thank goodness he doesn’t do it more than once a year.” Last year about this time I blogged about what you’d see at HIMSS15. Now I’m going to suggest something you ought to check out at HIMSS16 beyond the blather about BI/analytics/big data, population … Read More

GENELEX ANNOUNCES INTEGRATION WITH EPIC

Pharmacogenomic clinical analytics provider connects to the U.S.’s largest electronic health record system to support the reduction of drug complications, hospitalizations and ED visits Seattle, WA—February 23, 2016 – Genelex the makers of YouScript® Precision Prescribing analytics software announces enhanced connection with Epic, the U.S.’s most widely used electronic health record system. This new connectivity enables Genelex customers using Epic … Read More

Oxycodone Toxicity

On April 7, 2015 we blogged about a young boy who became comatose after receiving tramadol for post-tonsillectomy pain treatment. It was later learned that the boy was a CYP2D6 ultra rapid metabolizer. Then on July 21, 2015, we blogged about the risks of codeine in CYP2D6 ultra rapid metabolizers, especially children. Recently, a story was reported about a 9 … Read More

What Is Precision Medicine, Anyway?

And what does it mean for me? After President Obama announced the Administration’s Precision Medicine Initiative in his January, 2015 State of the Union Address, internet searches for “precision medicine” have more than doubled. With all of this new buzz around precision medicine, you may be wondering exactly what it is and what it means for you. The aim of … Read More

Most of us are not normal…

Recent data suggests that most of us are not normal when it comes to drug metabolism because of our genetics. In a recent retrospective analysis published in the American Journal of Health-Systems Pharmacy, the authors found that only 7% of over 14,000 patients tested were normal metabolizers for all five of the main drug metabolizing enzyme pathways (i.e., CYP2D6, CYP2C19, … Read More

Genelex receives Innovative Technology Designation from Vizient, Inc. for YouScript®

Designation recognizes the development of new solutions that benefit the health care industry Seattle, WA; January 27, 2015 – Genelex announced its YouScript® Precision Prescribing analytics software has received Innovative Technology designation from Vizient, Inc., formerly Novation, the largest member-owned health care company in the country. The designation was based on reviews of YouScript by hospital experts who attended Vizient’s … Read More

Patricia’s Story

“As both a Mental Health Therapist and a patient, I really believe drug sensitivity testing should be done for everyone. “ My name is Patricia.  In 2005 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a right mastectomy.  After undergoing a successful surgery, I began experiencing an unfamiliar feeling.  Immediately after the surgery, I was in intense pain.  Shortly after … Read More

What to Watch for When Taking Dietary or Herbal Supplements

Have you ever taken a vitamin, herbal product or supplement? You’re not alone. In fact, an estimated one-quarter, up to one-half, of adults taking prescription medications also take dietary supplements according to an article by Mayo Clinic Staff. Have you ever wondered if there are any safety concerns with taking one of these products? Most people assume that vitamins and … Read More

A Mother’s Story: Avoiding My Baby’s Potential Overdose

“…the possibility he could have suffered a horrible consequence is very real.” –Sarah Zeller Full disclosure: I am currently employed by Genelex Corporation and have been since 2011. However, I am writing this piece first and foremost as a patient and as a mother. In 2012, I was pregnant with my first child. I had not completed the pharmacogenetic testing … Read More

Tamoxifen and CYP2D6 Interactions

CYP2D6 gene testing for personalizing tamoxifen therapy has been a source of confusion and debate for over a decade. In addition to conflicting outcomes data on breast cancer recurrence rates in women with deficient CYP2D6 enzyme activity (i.e., CYP2D6 Intermediate and Poor Metabolizers) treated with tamoxifen, significant controversy exists around the methodology for using tumor cell DNA to estimate the … Read More