Why Every Consultant Pharmacist in LTC Should Be Using PGx for Safer, Smarter Deprescribing

PGx Industry Pulse: Why Personalized Medicine Matters in Long-Term Care

Hello Precision Medicine Community and LTC Consultant Pharmacists,

In long-term care (LTC), the complexities of medication management are challenging—and they impact resident safety, facility operations, and regulatory compliance. One of the key contributors to these complexities is polypharmacy, defined as the use of five or more medications by a single patient. In LTC, polypharmacy is common due to residents’ multiple chronic conditions, but it significantly raises the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and hospitalizations. ADRs are responsible for nearly 30% of hospital admissions among LTC residents, affecting approximately 350,000 residents every year.

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) offers a personalized approach to medication management, allowing us to make evidence-based medication adjustments that improve safety, reduce ADRs, and optimize therapeutic outcomes. With the insights from PGx, consultant pharmacists can embed clinically sound recommendations directly into their monthly patient reviews—becoming essential partners in precision-driven deprescribing and safer, more efficient medication management.

Reducing Polypharmacy Risks and ADRs with PGx

Polypharmacy presents unique risks in LTC, where residents are vulnerable to medication interactions and side effects. PGx provides individualized data on how each resident metabolizes specific drugs, helping pharmacists to fine-tune medication regimens and remove ineffective or potentially harmful medications. This targeted approach to deprescribing not only lowers ADR risk but also contributes to fewer hospitalizations and improved quality of life for residents.

Med-Pass Times and Regulatory Compliance: How PGx Helps

The average med-pass time in LTC facilities ranges from 2.5 to 3 hours per shift, placing significant pressure on staff to administer complex medication regimens accurately and efficiently. This extensive med-pass process can also increase the potential for errors, especially under regulatory scrutiny. When state surveyors conduct facility inspections, lengthy med-pass times and documentation errors often become the basis for citations, which can lead to costly fines and reputational damage for the facility.

By incorporating PGx-informed recommendations, consultant pharmacists can help facilities streamline med-pass processes, making them faster and more compliant. With precision-guided deprescribing, pharmacists can recommend reductions in unnecessary medications, easing med-pass time without compromising resident care. This efficiency supports staff in maintaining accurate medication administration and can significantly reduce the risk of regulatory citations during board surveys.

Embedding PGx Recommendations into Monthly Patient Reviews

Consultant pharmacists have a unique opportunity to integrate PGx insights directly into their monthly patient reviews. With each review, you can assess residents’ genetic compatibility with current medications and suggest optimized therapy adjustments, enhancing resident outcomes and providing facility staff with clear, actionable recommendations. This process not only supports safer, more effective medication use but also brings measurable efficiencies to the facility’s overall medication management strategy.

Consultant Pharmacists: Leading the Charge in PGx for LTC

As consultant pharmacists, we play a pivotal role in shaping personalized medicine within LTC. By embedding PGx insights into monthly reviews and advocating for precision-based deprescribing, we can drive impactful changes in resident safety, facility compliance, and quality of care. Pharmacists who integrate PGx will stand out as innovators in LTC, positioned to advance the standard of care in this critical field.

Join Us to Learn More

For healthcare providers eager to bring the benefits of PGx to LTC, we invite you to join our Precision Medicine Hero webinar. We’ll discuss how PGx can elevate care, streamline operations, and reduce regulatory risks. Or, book a 1:1 call with me to explore how PGx can fit into your practice. Let’s work together to make PGx a standard in LTC, advancing personalized medicine and supporting the highest quality of care.

Warm regards,

Melissa Smith PharmD, CPH

Director of Community Engagement and Professional Mentorship Precision Medicine Hero