First of its Kind Pharmacogenetic Test Accurately Identifies the Best Medications for Each Individual across Nearly all Therapeutic Classes
DNA4Life offers the most comprehensive and affordable gene-based assessment available directly to patients
MANDEVILLE, La., Oct. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DNA4Life today announced the U.S. introduction of the most comprehensive, affordable Pharmacogenetic Report available directly to patients. DNA4Life analyzes an individual's unique DNA and accurately predicts how he or she will respond to more than 120 of the most commonly prescribed medications across nearly all major therapeutic classes – now and for the rest of their lives. A DNA4Life analysis allows an individual's healthcare provider to more accurately prescribe, adjust and change their prescription(s), reducing trial-and-error, medication errors and potentially treatment cost.
Until now, physicians have relied almost exclusively on the trial-and-error approach to finding the right medication, or combination of medications, to effectively manage and control health conditions – costing patients, on average, $1,000 per year.1 Worse yet, trial-and-error can lead to medication errors and/or serious – even fatal – adverse drug reactions (ADRs). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ADRs are the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. today – ahead of pulmonary disease, diabetes, AIDS, pneumonia, accidents and automobile deaths.2 DNA4Life reduces trial-and-error and the associated frustrations and costs by empowering patients and their physicians to make a more informed treatment decision the first time around.
"By securely and responsibly making access to personalized, quality data – and care – an affordable reality, DNA4Life has the potential to revolutionize drug therapy for the most common health conditions that are managed with medication," said Richard Zimmer III, co-founder and CEO, DNA4Life. "Our differentiated and more comprehensive analysis will assist healthcare professionals in customizing a personalized treatment plan for their patients of all ages, ethnicities and genders – particularly those being treated for chronic conditions, like high cholesterol, depression, ADHD or pain."
Unlike other pharmacogenetic reports, which compare a single gene to a single drug, the DNA4Life Pharmacogenetic Report assesses an individual's unique makeup of the 12 most common genes affecting drug metabolism and response. This information is then compared with more than 120 of the most commonly prescribed medications across all major therapeutic classes. Evaluating multiple genes provides patients and their physicians with a more accurate, predictive assessment as to how they may respond to a given treatment.
"Working with my patients – particularly those with chronic health problems – I know first-hand how challenging it can be to find the most effective treatment at the most therapeutic dose," said Nancy Simpkins, MD, a board-certified internist at Barnabas Health Center in New Jersey. "DNA4Life gives patients and physicians the individualized information they need to personalize treatment plans, improve medication efficacy and patient adherence and, ultimately, optimize care."
Using an online physician-integrated ordering system and requiring that patients share their results with their own physician, patients receive the necessary medical context and support around the information contained within their DNA4Life report.
The cost of comparable comprehensive pharmacogenetic tests has been out of reach for most Americans. But by making DNA4Life available directly to patients online, the Company is able to deliver a more comprehensive, more sensitive pharmacogenetic analysis for $249 – a fraction of the cost of similar tests.
For more information about DNA4Life, visit www.DNA4Life.com.
About DNA4Life
DNA4Life the most comprehensive, affordable pharmacogenetic report available today, and shows patients how they will respond to more than 120 of the most commonly prescribed medications across nearly all therapeutic classes based on his or her unique genetic makeup – now and for the rest of their lives.
DNA4Life was developed by Richard Zimmer and Dr. Bill W. Massey with the goal of empowering consumers and physicians to make more informed health and treatment decisions. In addition to its Pharmacogenetic Report, DNA4Life is researching and developing additional reports that will assess specific health-related areas, including wellness, dermatology and women's health.
1 IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, Medicines Use and Spending Shifts. 2014
2 FDA, Preventable Adverse Drug Reactions: A Focus on Drug Interactions, 06/18/2014. Accessed online 10/12/2015. Available at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/DevelopmentResources/DrugInteractionsLabeling/ucm110632.htm
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SOURCE DNA4Life
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