Albertsons giving access to free education about genetic testing

/0 Comments/in /by

Are you familiar with Pharmacogenetics aka genetic testing? By now, you should be… If you’re not, now is the time to start looking into it! A Trxade Member is generating an additional $1,000 per day doing genetic testing for their patients by doing a simple swab of their mouth and reviewing the results with their patients. It is customized, personalized healthcare and the future of effectively treating patients based on what is the most effective for them, not for the majority, for their specific DNA. It’s amazing! Jump on the ship before all of the big box chains start doing it, one has already started!

Albertsons has entered into a partnership with Genomind to give customers at nearly 30 in-store pharmacies access to free education about genetic testing intended to optimize medical treatment for mental health issues.

“Up to 50% of all mental health patients respond poorly to the first psychiatric medicine because everyone’s body is different, in part based on their individual genetic makeup.”

The test identifies patient-specific genetic markers that indicate which medications are likely to work as intended, have no effect or cause adverse effects.

At the select locations, specially trained pharmacists may decide to counsel a patient if they see a pattern of the patient having unsuccessful experiences with a medicine prescribed for any mental illness.

“We are excited to bring this opportunity to educate our patients about how genetic testing may be able to help them get better faster as they face mental health challenges,” says Albertsons Companies Senior Vice President of Pharmacy, Health & Wellness, Mark Panzer.

The pharmacist would be able to administer the test by collecting a small amount of saliva with a cheek swab in a private area of the pharmacy, and then review results of the genetic test with the patient after the test returns from Genomind’s CLIA-certified lab.

Genecept Assay platform covers more than 20 drug classes, 122 FDA-approved medications, 18 clinically validated genes and 97% of medications used to treat depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention-deficit disorder and autism, as well as comprehensive coverage of pain medications. It has shown in published studies to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall medical costs.

At Trxade’s 2018 annual conference we will have a CE on Pharmacogenetics taught by President-elect of the Florida Pharmacy Association David P. Mackarey, RPh., AAHIVP.

Topic: Pharmacogenetics, PGx: Taking It Personally

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand PGx & It’s Relationship to Medication Therapy
  2. Create A Practical Application to Your Pharmacy
  3. Use A Collaborative Practice Agreement with Physicians to Implement A Successful Program
  4. Help Physicians Implement & Educate Patients on PGx
  5. Help Patients Understand Pharmacogenetics
  6. Educate Patients on The Importance of PGx
  7. Know the Step-By-Step Process of PGx Test
  8. Administer the PGx Test
  9. Explain the Meaning of The Results to The Patient
  10. Help Physicians Avoid Improper Drug/Dose Choices
  11. Use Lab Results to Achieve Best Possible Patient Outcomes

For additional information on the Trxade conference visit www.trxadeconference.com.

Sources: Supermarket News, PR News Wire

Trxade, The Trusted Marketplace For Pharmacies

Congress passes OTC hearing aid legislation

/0 Comments/in /by

Congress passes OTC hearing aid legislation

Source: drugstorenews.com

AUGUST 7, 2017 | BY MICHAEL JOHNSEN

WASHINGTON — A new class of OTC hearing aids is one presidential signature away from becoming reality. The U.S Senate on Thursday passed the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act as part of the Food and Drug Administration Reauthorization Act on a vote of 94-1.

“Thanks to bipartisan support on this issue, millions of Americans will improve their quality of life with little impact on their pocketbook,” stated Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association. “Until now, nearly half of online U.S. adults – 98 million Americans – with hearing loss have been unable to access adequate hearing assistance due to prohibitively high hearing aid costs as well as the inconvenience and financial burden of doctors appointments. This legislation will create a new class of over-the-counter hearing aids costing roughly one-tenth the price of traditional hearing aids, making it easier for those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss to afford the hearing assistance that they need.”

“This legislation will create a new class of over-the-counter hearing aids costing roughly one-tenth the price of traditional hearing aids.”

The legislation will make certain types of hearing aids available over-the-counter to Americans with mild to moderate hearing impairment. It also requires the FDA to write regulations ensuring that this new category of OTC hearing aids meets the same high standards for safety, consumer labeling and manufacturing protections as all medical devices, providing consumers the option of an FDA-regulated device at lower cost.

The bipartisan legislation was supported by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Reps. Joe Kennedy III, D-Mass., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.

“This law will make a life changing difference for millions of Americans who experience hearing loss but can’t access the hearing aid technology they need because of high costs and excessive regulations,” Warren said. “By passing this legislation and making some hearing aids available over the counter, we will increase competition, spur innovation and bring down prices. I’m grateful to my colleagues – Democrats and Republicans – for joining me in this effort.”

“I recently chaired an Aging Committee hearing on social isolation among seniors, which revealed that hearing loss, if left untreated, may contribute to loneliness, increasing the risk of serious mental and physical health outcomes.” added Collins. “By making some types of hearing aids available over the counter, this commonsense legislation will help increase access to and lower the cost of these products for the consumers who need them.”

The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 received endorsements from leading organizations representing seniors, consumers and hearing health professionals, including the AARP, the Gerontological Society of America, the Hearing Loss Association of America, Consumers Union, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, the American Federation of Teachers, the Consumer Technology Association, the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, the Niskanen Institute, R St. Institute, and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology.

Approximately 48 million Americans experience age-related hearing loss, including two-thirds of adults between the ages of 70 to 79. Yet only a small share of Americans with hearing loss – around 14% – use hearing aids, primarily due to their high cost. Hearing aids are not covered by Medicare or most private insurance plans, and out-of-pocket costs for a single hearing aid average $2,400.