AssureRx introduces new pharmacogenomic test for ADHD

May 7 2012

AssureRx Health, Inc. today announced it has launched a personalized medicine test for the growing number of children and adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The new pharmacogenomic test can assist clinicians with important medication decisions that result from genomic differences in how individual patients tolerate ADHD medications.

GeneSightRx ADHD analyzes variations in three genes that influence how a patient might metabolize certain medications used to treat ADHD in children and adults.  Understanding a patient's unique genomic profile may help a clinician individualize a patient's medication selection and avoid side effects that often occur with these medications. The test provides objective, evidence-based information for clinicians to personalize medication selection for each patient.

The GeneSightRx ADHD analysis is based on pharmacogenomics, FDA-approved manufacturer's drug labels, published peer reviewed research, and proven pharmacology. The new ADHD test adds to the company's treatment decision support products that include GeneSightRx Psychotropic, a psychiatric pharmacogenomic product that tests important genomic variants affecting metabolism to psychiatric medications for individual patients. 

ADHD diagnoses increased 66 percent from 6.2 million in 2000 to 10.4 million in 2010, according to a study published in the March/April 2012 issue of Academic Pediatrics. ADHD is the most common childhood disorder and can continue into adulthood. Symptoms of ADHD include an inability to stay focused or pay attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity.

"ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder affecting millions of children and adults. With the introduction of GeneSightRx ADHD, clinicians now have an objective, evidence-based tool for individualizing ADHD medications," said James S. Burns, president and CEO of AssureRx Health. "Our goal is to build a portfolio of innovative pharmacogenomic and other treatment decision support products to help physicians individualize the treatment of patients with neuropsychiatric and other disorders."

When a clinician orders the test, a DNA sample is taken from the patient with a simple, non-invasive cheek swab.  The specimen is sent overnight to AssureRx Health's CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory. The ordering clinician receives the patient report via a secure online portal that presents the patient's genomic information in an easy-to-read and clinically actionable format.

SOURCE AssureRx Health, Inc.