By Ron Shinkman, Editor, Laboratory Industry Report
Harmonyx, the Tennessee-based molecular laboratory, has struck a deal with pharmacy chain Rite Aid to sell its pharmacogenetic assays at its retail stores.
Customers will be able to purchase the Harmonyx test at any Rite Aid store, except for those in New York State. Altogether, about 3,900 stores will be carrying the tests.
The test analyzes a patient’s genetic makeup to determine their physiological compatibility to four classifications of drugs: Painkillers, anti-platelets, statins or remedies for attention deficit disorder. Altogether, the assay can gauge a patient’s compatibility with about 30 different drugs, providing data to their doctor or pharmacist to change a prescription if it’s ineffective.
Rite Aid will ship all patient swabs to Harmonyx’s lab for processing. The results are reviewed by a licensed physician provided by Harmonyx. Test results are returned to Rite Aid, the patient, their pharmacist and doctor within 24 hours of receipt.
“At Rite Aid, we are committed to offering our customers unique and innovative products, services and programs that meet their individual wellness needs, and personalized medication therapy through genetic testing is a perfect example of such a service,” said Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy, in a statement. “By offering Harmonyx genetic testing to our customers, we’re helping to ensure that the medication they are taking is the most effective medication to help them treat and manage their condition while avoiding unnecessary and potentially harmful side effects.”
Financial terms of the deal between Harmonyx and Rite Aid were not disclosed.