Integrated Prescription Management (IPM), a leading pharmacy benefits management (PBM) company, now offers pharmacogenomics testing for patients suffering from depression or anxiety. The GeneSight® test, offered through Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYGN), a leader in genetic testing and precision medicine, helps clinicians and patients better understand how a particular individual may respond to certain medications.

GeneSight is a psychotropic test that analyzes how a person's genes impact how they may break down or respond to medications commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions. Now, with a simple cheek swab, clinicians can learn which medications may require dose adjustments, be less likely to work, or have an increased risk of side effects based on a person's genetic makeup.

"Pharmacogenomics is a game-changing employee benefit," said Rich Adams, president and chief operating officer at IPM. "Imagine knowing how you'll react to a particular medication before you even take it. This technology may eliminate weeks of taking a prescription that doesn't work – saving people time, helping them feel better faster, and improving productivity." 

Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health disorders in the U.S., with more than 18 percent of adults suffering from anxiety and nearly eight percent having experienced a depressive episode. In the last year, the number of people looking for help with these disorders has dramatically increased due the COVID-19 pandemic, with feelings of isolation, stress, and sadness increasing in every age group.

"With proper treatment, people who suffer from depression or anxiety can get better," said Alex Habibe, MD, IPM's medical director. "Taking the right prescription medication, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, is proven to be highly effective in helping people get their lives back."

IPM also works with Myriad Genetics to offer Vectra® for rheumatoid arthritis. Vectra is an advanced blood test that helps physicians understand the extent of patients' inflammation, predict the risk of permanent joint damage, and determine the appropriate course of treatment.