Pharmacogenomics FAQs
Who is Coriell Life Sciences?
Coriell Life Sciences is a recognized leader in the field of pharmacogenomics, the study of how genes affect a person’s response to drugs, for its unique genomic services. We have developed software to help you and your providers and pharmacists optimize your medication and supplement therapy in a safe, effective, and cost-efficient manner.
What is pharmacogenomics?
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genes affect a person’s response to drugs. Some questions that pharmacogenomics may be able to answer include:
- Why do some medications help me more than others?
- How can I better understand how medication will affect me before I take it?
- Why don’t I like the way some medications affect me?
What is precision or personalized medicine?
Personalized medicine (also referred to as precision medicine) is the practice of taking the entire person into account when assessing one’s health. Personalized medicine considers factors such as:
- Genetics
- Diet
- Exercise
- Family history
- Current medications
- Environment
Personalized medicine tailors your treatment to your unique DNA, conditions, medications, and lifestyle. It also focuses on prevention at many levels: preventing disease, poor or harmful responses to medications, and even death.
How does Coriell Life Sciences’ medication compatibility test work?
Our medication compatibility test enables the analysis of your DNA by a laboratory and identifies changes that are known to affect how you may react to certain medications. This test also offers a comprehensive view of the safety of your medications by considering many other factors, including your other medications, vitamins or supplements, and some lifestyle factors. Our own and others’ peer-reviewed scientific research shows that through genetically assisted prescribing, the right treatments can be found, cost of care can be reduced, and patients lead a longer and pain-free life when physicians and pharmacists interact with research analysis tools like Coriell Life Sciences’ GeneDose and GeneDose LIVETM.
How can the medication compatibility test help me improve my health?
This test helps healthcare providers determine if an alternative drug therapy is better suited for you. It could be that a different medication would be more effective for you or less likely to cause side effects.
Will this test give me information about my ancestry?
No, this DNA test will not report any ancestry information. This DNA test will only provide information about how your genes affect how you respond to specific medications.
Will this test tell me if I am going to get cancer?
No, this DNA test will not be used to determine your likelihood of developing diseases, including cancer.
How can I participate?
If your employer or health benefits provider is participating in Coriell Life Sciences’ Medication Safety Program, enrollment information will be provided.
How long until I receive my results?
When we receive your saliva sample, it typically takes about 1-2 weeks to process and analyze your DNA. After that, you will receive an email alert to schedule a consultation with one of our pharmacists. This can take about 1-2 weeks to finalize with you and your provider. Overall, the entire process can take 4-6 weeks.
What if I do not take any medications?
This is a one-time test, so the information can be used for future purposes. For instance, if your doctor were to prescribe a new medication in the future, your doctor can determine if this medicine is the best option for you.
What happens to my DNA?
During the analysis process, the DNA is consumed. We will not store your saliva sample once we have generated your results.
How is my information kept secure?
Coriell Life Sciences complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in all of its processes, and many actions are taken to keep your information secure. Your saliva, DNA, and subsequent data are tracked using unique barcodes, rather than your name. This means any personally identifiable information is removed from your sample. Your information, including answers to our questions and your test results, is not shared with your employer. View more information about Coriell Life Sciences’ Notice of Privacy Practices.
Why do you need my email address?
Your email address will be used to provide status alerts, schedule your pharmacist consultation, and ask about your experience with the Program.
Why can’t my doctor do this themselves?
- Our specialized pharmacists have experience analyzing genetic results in the context of a specific patient and their medications.
- If you are participating through your employer or healthcare provider, this program is covered with no fees or costs to you.
- If your doctor were to recommend another test, it may not be covered under your health plan.
- This service may not be offered by your physician.
- Importantly, we work with your physician through this process — directly providing them the results in order to then discuss outcomes with you.
Do I have to participate in this Program?
No. Participation is completely optional.
What happens if I choose not to participate?
Nothing. Choosing not to participate will not have any effect on your standing with your employer or your benefits coverage.
How much does this Program cost?
The Corigen Medication Safety Program is being made available to you through your medical and prescription drug plan or employer at no additional cost to you – and that includes no postage costs!
Can I participate in this Program more than once?
Your DNA is collected once. You may make a request to have your DNA compared to any new medications that may have been prescribed for you since you first participated in the program.
Have more pharmacogenomics questions? Contact us.
Interesting in learning more about our program for your organization? Get a risk-free ROI analysis for your organization today.