Precision Health and PGx Podcast

Pharmacy Podcast Network

This podcast is all about the Pharmacist leveraging the power of Pharmacogenomics. PGX for Pharmacists is a member of the Pharmacy Podcast Network. Pharmacogenomics is the study of the role of the genome in drug response. Its name (pharmaco- + genomics) reflects its combining of pharmacology and genomics. Pharmacogenomics analyzes how the genetic makeup of an individual affects his/her response to drugs. It deals with the influence of acquired and inherited genetic variation on drug response in patients by correlating gene expression or single-nucleotide polymorphisms with pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination) and pharmacodynamics (effects mediated through a drug’s biological targets).

  1. 01/28/2025

    Key Factors Impacting MolDX® Coverage Determinations and Reimbursement with Dr. Megan Landsverk, Scientific Director, MolDX® and Chief Science Officer, Palmetto GBA® | Precision Health and PGx

    Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Precision Health and PGX Podcast as Dr. Becky Winslow, CEO of inGENEious RX Incorporated Pharmacogenomics Consulting, and Dr. Megan Landsverk, Scientific Director of MolDX® and Chief Science Officer of Palmetto GBA®, discuss how laboratories may overcome the challenges they face earning MolDX® coverage and reimbursement for their clinical pharmacogenomics tests. Specific to coverage determinations, the PGx veterans discuss test design, post-genotype translations, and technical assessments. Specific to reimbursement, the duo discusses evidence-based reporting and complete claim submissions. Also discussed is the importance of labs clearly defining intended use populations for tests and academic partnerships importance when labs develop and validate panels including drug-gene pairs the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium and the United States Food and Drug Administration does not recognize as clinically utile for managing medications.  Dr. Megan Landsverk is a Science Officer for Palmetto GBA, a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) and a Science Director for the Molecular Diagnostic Services (MolDX) program developed to identify and establish coverage and reimbursement for molecular diagnostic services on behalf of Medicare. Dr. Landsverk received her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Baylor College of Medicine and postdoctoral training in Medical Genetics at the University of Washington. She is a board-certified Molecular Geneticist, completing her molecular genetics fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. She has held multiple academic faculty positions and has numerous publications in the field of genetics. Prior to joining Palmetto, she served as a clinical laboratory director in academic, hospital, and commercial clinical laboratories and has experience in several genetic specialties including rare disease (pediatric and adult), cancer (somatic and inherited), and pharmacogenetics.

    49 min
  2. 01/07/2025

    The Current Status of Biomarker Testing Coverage Legislation in the U.S. with Hilary Goeckner of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network | Precision Health and PGx

    Equitable biomarker testing access, including pharmacogenomics testing, is critical for patients to experience optimal medication therapy outcomes. Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Precision Health and PGX Podcast as Dr. Becky Winslow, Dr. Behnaz Sarrami, and Hilary Goeckner, Director of State & Local Campaigns - Access to Care of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), educate listeners about ACS CAN’s mission, how it executes on its mission, accomplishments, and future goals.  This episode is a must listen for anyone who wants the latest update on the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s work influencing state legislatures to pass legislation to expand coverage of biomarker testing, states who have already passed legislation and those with pending legislation, and to learn how they too can advocate.   After listening to this episode, listeners will be able to describe biomarker testing’s importance in healthcare; describe how the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is championing biomarker testing coverage legislation; name states that have passed biomarker testing legislation and those with pending legislation; know how one can contribute to the efforts to increase biomarker testing coverage. Hilary Gee Goeckner is director of state and local campaigns for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. In this role she leads work with ACS CAN staff and coalition partners across the country to improve access to comprehensive biomarker testing, clinical trials, fertility preservation and other health care access issues. Prior to this role, Hilary served as the Kansas government relations director for ACS CAN. Before joining ACS CAN, Hilary served as director of health policy at Kansas Action for Children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and global health from Williams College and a master’s degree in social work from Boston College. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two children. As the CEO of inGENEious RX Incorporated and pharmacogenomics subject matter expert, Dr. Becky Winslow has dedicated over a decade to providing innovative solutions for pharmacogenomics stakeholders. Her extensive experience also includes directing pharmacy operations and medication safety programs across diverse clinical settings, spanning retail, hospital, long-term care, and public health. Dr. Winslow is a passionate educator, training Doctors of Clinical Pharmacy to work with molecular testing stakeholders and serving as an advanced pharmacy practice preceptor for Manchester University’s Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics Program. She hosts an evidence-based educational podcast, The Precision Health and PGx Podcast, which Welp Magazine recognized as the ninth most listened to genetics podcast globally. Her involvement with prominent organizations like the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium and the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) PGx Task Force speaks to her expertise and commitment. Dr. Winslow frequently presents at national conferences such as The Association for Molecular Pathology and holds degrees from Campbell University.  Behnaz Sarrami, PharmD, MS, is a leading expert in pharmacogenomics and a dedicated Medical Science Liaison (MSL). She is named American Pharmacists Association’s (APhA) "50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy" and Medika's "Top 30 Women Transforming Healthcare". Behnaz is passionate about advancing personalized medicine to optimize treatments and improve patient outcomes, especially in underserved populations. She supports healthcare professionals through scientific training and presentations. As the host of the "Precision Health and PGx" podcast, she mentors pharmacists transitioning into MSL roles and those launching pharmacogenomics consulting careers. She earned her Master’s in Biochemistry from Georgetown University and her Doctorate in Pharmacy from Creighton University. With significant contributions to research and education, she continues to drive innovation in pharmacogenomics through her work with healthcare professionals and community outreach programs.

    35 min
  3. 12/10/2024

    Pharmacists Value in the Clinical Pharmacogenomics Lab with Dr. Jeremy Stuart, Chief Scientific Officer, Precision Genetics | Precision Health and PGx Podcast

    Be sure to tune in to this episode of the Precision Health and PGX Podcast as Dr. Becky Winslow, Dr. Behnaz Sarrami, and Dr. Jeremy Stuart, Chief Scientific Officer and laboratory director for Precision Genetics, discuss pharmacists value as employees in clinical pharmacogenomics testing laboratories. Having employed pharmacists in his laboratories, Dr. Stuart will provide his first-hand examples to illustrate how pharmacists have benefited his laboratories. Dr. Winslow and Dr. Sarrami will also share their real-world experiences working for clinical pharmacogenomics laboratories to help the laboratory achieve its goals. This episode is a must listen for laboratories who are vested in their pharmacogenomics testing's financial success.  After listening to this episode, the learner will be able to describe responsibilities and roles in pharmacogenomics pharmacists fulfill in clinical labs, name specific real-world examples that illustrate pharmacists’ contributions to pharmacogenomics in the clinical laboratory, and name education, training, and work experiences that prepare pharmacists to assume advanced practice roles in clinical laboratories.   Dr. Jeremy Stuart has extensive experience in the life science industry. He specializes in commercial operations, technology development and transfer, manufacturing design, and validation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs). He currently serves as the Chief Scientific Officer for Precision Genetics and serves as their Laboratory Director.  Dr. Stuart was part of the senior management team that completed a management buyout of Lab21 Inc. to form Selah Genomics and the subsequent sale of Selah to EKF. Dr. Stuart led the development and validation of all of Selah’s molecular assays and oversaw their clinical studies. Dr. Stuart was also a member of the Agencourt Personal Genomics team, where he co-developed the SOLiD next-generation sequencing technology that was subsequently acquired by Applied Biosystems.   Before entering industry, Dr. Stuart completed his postdoctoral work at the the Harvard School of Public Health, earned his master’s degree in Toxicology from the University of Minnesota, and his doctorate in Genetics & Complex Diseases from Harvard University.  As the CEO of inGENEious RX Incorporated and pharmacogenomics subject matter expert, Dr. Becky Winslow has dedicated over a decade to providing innovative solutions for pharmacogenomics stakeholders. Her extensive experience also includes directing pharmacy operations and medication safety programs across diverse clinical settings, spanning retail, hospital, long-term care, and public health. Dr. Winslow is a passionate educator, training Doctors of Clinical Pharmacy to work with molecular testing stakeholders and serving as an advanced pharmacy practice preceptor for Manchester University’s Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics Program. She hosts an evidence-based educational podcast, The Precision Health and PGx Podcast, which Welp Magazine recognized as the ninth most listened to genetics podcast globally. Her involvement with prominent organizations like the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium and the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) PGx Task Force speaks to her expertise and commitment. Dr. Winslow frequently presents at national conferences such as The Association for Molecular Pathology and holds degrees from Campbell University.  Behnaz Sarrami, PharmD, MS, is a leading expert in pharmacogenomics and a dedicated Medical Science Liaison (MSL). She is named American Pharmacists Association’s (APhA) "50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy" and Medika's "Top 30 Women Transforming Healthcare". Behnaz is passionate about advancing personalized medicine to optimize treatments and improve patient outcomes, especially in underserved populations. She supports healthcare professionals through scientific training and presentations. As the host of the "Precision Health and PGx" podcast, she mentors pharmacists transitioning into MSL roles and those launching pharmacogenomics consulting careers. She earned her Master’s in Biochemistry from Georgetown University and her Doctorate in Pharmacy from Creighton University. With significant contributions to research and education, she continues to drive innovation in pharmacogenomics through her work with healthcare professionals and community outreach programs.

    48 min
  4. 11/25/2024

    Demystifying Medicaid Coverage and Reimbursement for Pharmacogenomics Testing | Precision Health and PGx Podcast

    In this episode, Dr. Mary Weissman, Dr. Lexi Wensel, and Dr. Becky Winslow discuss Medicaid’s coverage of pharmacogenomics testing and Medicaid’s reimbursement of a pharmacist’s time spent provisioning PGx testing and providing PGx inclusive medication therapy management for Medicaid beneficiaries. We teach the listener how to locate, navigate, and understand Medicaid-managed care organizations’ coverage and reimbursement policies for pharmacogenomics testing and the billing codes pharmacists can use to bill for their time in providing PGx testing. Lastly, we analyze pharmacists' time investment versus Medicaid reimbursement of the pharmacists' time to project the financial return on investment of this business model for pharmacists.     After listening to this episode, the listener will understand what Medicaid and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) are and their role in pharmacogenomics utilization; understand how to navigate managed care organizations' policies to determine coverage for pharmacogenomic testing and eligibility criteria; recognize the current Medicaid coverage landscape for pharmacogenomic testing, including eligibility criteria, coverage limitations, and variations across different states; and understand pharmacists' roles in the provision of pharmacogenomics testing and Medicaid’s reimbursement of a pharmacists’ time.

    31 min
  5. 04/25/2024

    Pharmacogenomics Databases: What’s Available and How to Navigate Them | Precision Health and PGX

    Episode Summary: In recognition of National DNA Day, April 25, 2024, Dr. Mary Weissman, Miss Courtney Harmon, and Dr. Becky Winslow discuss clinical pharmacogenomics resources, what pharmacogenomics information they provide, and how to navigate and utilize the pharmacogenomics information to answer a prescriber’s clinical question about pharmacogenomics' relationship to an adverse drug event.  Listeners interested in learning a step-wise approach to using the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Table of Pharmacogenetics Associations and the FDA Table of Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers in Drug Labeling, the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium's (CPIC's) database, and the Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB) to demystify pharmacogenomics' role in adverse drug events will not want to miss this Precision Health and PGx Podcast episode.  Biographies: Before founding inGENEious RX Incorporated, a boutique pharmacogenomics consulting firm, Dr. Winslow directed pharmacy business operations and clinical pharmacy programs in retail, hospital, long-term care, and public health pharmacies for Walmart Stores, Community Health Systems, Neil Medical Group, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Since founding inGENEious RX over ten years ago, Dr. Winslow has worked with numerous distinguished vendors in the pharmacogenomics industry to reduce barriers holding pharmacogenomics back from becoming a standard of care including Translational Software, Admera Health, Genemarkers, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Acutis Diagnostics, Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System, and GenXys.  A sought-after pharmacogenomics subject matter expert, Dr. Winslow, is an authority in pharmacogenomics access and reimbursement and specializes in business strategy consulting for pharmacogenomics stakeholders.   Dr. Mary Weissman is a pharmacogenomics science, clinical utility and reimbursement expert and inGENEious RX Incorporated team member.  After earning her PharmD from the Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy, Dr. Weissman completed a two-year pharmacogenomics fellowship with a clinical diagnostic lab. Upon completing her academic training in pharmacology and pharmacogenomics, Dr. Weissman embarked on a journey to apply her expertise in clinical diagnostic laboratories and has held several key scientific and clinical roles in pharmacogenomics laboratories. Through informative presentations, training sessions, papers, and webinars, she has helped clarify pharmacogenomics' complexities and highlight its potential to revolutionize medication management strategies for pharmacogenomics' stakeholders. Miss Courtney Harmon is graduating from Manchester University's Pharmacy and Pharmacogenomics programs in 2024.  She serves as a P4 liaison for Manchester University's chapter of Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) and she is interested in pursuing a career in industry pharmacy. She has worked for Walgreens pharmacy for the last eight years.  References: 1. Table of pharmacogenomic biomarkers in drug labeling. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Published August 10, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/science-and-research-drugs/table-pharmacogenomic-biomarkers-drug-labeling  2. Table of pharmacogenetic associations. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Published October 26, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/precision-medicine/table-pharmacogenetic-associations  3. CPIC. Cpicpgx.org. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://cpicpgx.org  4. PharmGKB. PharmGKB. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://www.pharmgkb.org Keywords: #pharmacogenomics #ingeneiousrx #PGx #pharmacists #precisionhealthandpgxpodcast #pharmacypodcastnetwork #pharmacogenetics #genetics #sources #resources #FDA #CPIC #PharmGKB

    25 min
4.7
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

This podcast is all about the Pharmacist leveraging the power of Pharmacogenomics. PGX for Pharmacists is a member of the Pharmacy Podcast Network. Pharmacogenomics is the study of the role of the genome in drug response. Its name (pharmaco- + genomics) reflects its combining of pharmacology and genomics. Pharmacogenomics analyzes how the genetic makeup of an individual affects his/her response to drugs. It deals with the influence of acquired and inherited genetic variation on drug response in patients by correlating gene expression or single-nucleotide polymorphisms with pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination) and pharmacodynamics (effects mediated through a drug’s biological targets).