Economic Outcomes Following Combinatorial Pharmacogenomic Testing for Elderly Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

Objective: We compared economic outcomes when elderly patients with neuropsychiatric disorders received psychotropic medications guided by a combinatorial pharmacogenomic (PGx) test. Methods: This is a subanalysis of a 1-year prospective assessment of medication cost for patients with neuropsychiatric disorders receiving combinatorial PGx testing. Pharmacy claims were used to compare per member per year (PMPY) medication cost for patients ≥65 and <65 years old when medications were congruent or incongruent with the PGx test. Polypharmacy was also assessed. Results: Congruent prescribing was associated with savings of US$3497 PMPY ( P < .001) for patients ≥65 years and US$2467 PMPY ( P < .001) for patients <65, compared to incongruent prescribing. Congruent prescribing in patients ≥65 treated by primary care providers was associated with US$4113 PMPY ( P = .026) in savings, while congruent prescribing by psychiatrists was associated with US$120 PMPY ( P = .719). Congruent prescribing was also associated with one fewer neuropsychiatric medication for patients ≥65 ( P = .070). Conclusion: Congruence with PGx testing was associated with medication cost savings in elderly patients.