Commercial Member Perception of a Pharmacogenomic Testing Program Led by a Pharmacy Benefits Manager
by Abigail L Deming, PharmD, Marleen K Wickizer, PharmD, Tina A Patel, PharmD, Suzanne Horowitz, MHA, Agata Siwak, PharmD, Julie A Olson, DNP, Robert V Topp, PhD
"Objective: Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is the study of the role of DNA in an individual’s response to a drug. The results can be used proactively to select a personalized medication. Some pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) offer PGx testing to members, but the member experience is unknown. This study explored the perceptions of two commercial client populations invited to participate in a PGx testing program.
Methods: Members who underwent testing completed an anonymous written survey assessing the test’s ease of use, their understanding of PGx, the usefulness of the results, their plans to share the results, and whether they would recommend testing to others. Members who declined testing were surveyed on why they did not participate. Descriptive analyses were calculated for each question.
Results: Most members who completed the test agreed or strongly agreed with each survey question: test directions were easy to follow (96.6%); they understand PGx after meeting with a genetic counselor (70.7%); they plan to discuss the results with their doctor (82.4%); the test can help doctors choose personalized medications (70.7%); and they recommend the test to others (69%). For members who declined PGx testing, common reasons were concerns about personal health information being used (36%) and other unlisted reasons (30%).
Conclusions: Results suggest that most members who complete the test can identify the intended benefits. For members who declined, the survey demonstrated that the test invitation does not adequately address their concerns. Results will be used to improve member education and experience, and highlight best practices for PGx testing programs."
Keywords: Pharmacogenetics, Counselors, DNA, Physicians, Surveys and Questionnaires, Genetic Techniques, Health Records, Personal, Perception, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Preparations
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2021 September/October Table of Contents
"Objective: Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is the study of the role of DNA in an individual’s response to a drug. The results can be used proactively to select a personalized medication. Some pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) offer PGx testing to members, but the member experience is unknown. This study explored the perceptions of two commercial client populations invited to participate in a PGx testing program.
Methods: Members who underwent testing completed an anonymous written survey assessing the test’s ease of use, their understanding of PGx, the usefulness of the results, their plans to share the results, and whether they would recommend testing to others. Members who declined testing were surveyed on why they did not participate. Descriptive analyses were calculated for each question.
Results: Most members who completed the test agreed or strongly agreed with each survey question: test directions were easy to follow (96.6%); they understand PGx after meeting with a genetic counselor (70.7%); they plan to discuss the results with their doctor (82.4%); the test can help doctors choose personalized medications (70.7%); and they recommend the test to others (69%). For members who declined PGx testing, common reasons were concerns about personal health information being used (36%) and other unlisted reasons (30%).
Conclusions: Results suggest that most members who complete the test can identify the intended benefits. For members who declined, the survey demonstrated that the test invitation does not adequately address their concerns. Results will be used to improve member education and experience, and highlight best practices for PGx testing programs."
Keywords: Pharmacogenetics, Counselors, DNA, Physicians, Surveys and Questionnaires, Genetic Techniques, Health Records, Personal, Perception, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Preparations
Download PDF
2021 September/October Table of Contents