RDx BioScience (RDx), a single source for care quality, risk evaluation and opioid expertise powered by a fast, full-service laboratory, points to the important role of pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing in the workplace, optimizing safe, cost-effective pain management and addiction treatment to help address issues related to opioid addiction. With fifty percent of opioid addiction cases related to an individual’s genetic factors, PGx testing impacts patients’ pain relief responses and their likelihood of developing adverse drug effects and drug addiction.

“PGx testing changes the landscape for pain management, identifying employees who require analgesic therapy and predicting whether or not they will experience adequate relief or an adverse event,” says Scott Howell, D.O., MPH &TM, CPE, chief medical officer, RDx. “A significant proportion of individuals are unable to attain optimum pain relief with opioid treatment, while others suffer from serious opioid-induced adverse events and/or are prone to developing medication dependence. Only 58 percent of employees who take prescription pain medication get adequate relief, and if left untreated or undertreated, chronic pain costs more than $600 billion a year in both medical costs and lost productivity.”

Chronic pain resulting from workplace injuries and associated opioid prescribing to manage pain poses important economic burdens and public health issues. Research shows that workers’ compensation insurers spend about $1.54 billion annually on opioids, representing about 25 percent of pharmacy costs related to workers’ compensation.

The federal Inter-Agency Task Force’s new guidelines for Pain Management Best Practices include an emphasis on individualized, patient-centered care to address the public health pain crisis and better and safer opioid stewardship through risk assessment based on patients’ medical, social, and family history to ensure safe and appropriate prescribing.

“The nation has seen an unprecedented rise of overdose deaths associated with prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic drugs,” emphasizes Dr. Howell. “RDx supports the Task Force’s Pain Management Best Practices by utilizing our specialized expertise in opioid addiction to improve care for those suffering from acute and chronic pain.”

About RDx

RDx is a full-service, high-technology laboratory. We are fast, accurate, and deliver value-based service nationally. RDx is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) as a certified, full-service medical laboratory. Visit www.RDxBioScience.com