Oct. 23, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

HONOLULU, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(NYSE: MHS) and the American Medical Association (AMA) today announced the findings of a national benchmark survey on physicians' acceptance, use and education regarding pharmacogenomic testing. The survey revealed that physicians almost unanimously recognize the role that genes play in affecting a patient's drug response; however, few felt they had the necessary training and education to prescribe genetic tests that could provide valuable information to guide the prescribing and dosing of medications.

Pharmacogenomic tests analyze a person's genetic make-up to determine how they metabolize certain medications; using this genetic information can help improve the safety and effectiveness of drug therapies.

The survey findings, based on responses from more than 10,000 physicians nationwide, were presented at the 59th Annual American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) Conference. Results from the survey found that only 26 percent (about one in four) of physicians have had any type of education in the field known as pharmacogenomics (PGx), and only 10 percent of physicians currently believe they have the necessary information and training to put pharmacogenomics testing to use. In addition, while the survey found that only 13 percent of physicians had ordered or recommended PGx testing for their patients in the preceding six months, more than 26 percent planned to do so within the next six months. Among total respondents, 10 percent reported that PGx tests had benefited their patients by improving drug effectiveness, and another 10 percent said their patients benefited from reduced drug toxicity due to testing.

"This research generates important insight about where physicians stand on pharmacogenomic testing," said Dr. Robert Epstein, Medco's chief medical officer. "It's clear that there is wide acceptance that genetic testing has a role in patient care, but the need for formal training and education among physicians is necessary to obtain greater adoption and implementation of these tests in clinical practice. This survey with the AMA is the first to identify the role that education can play in physician use of these tests to improve patient care; and with the number of new drugs coming to market with a companion diagnostic, it's paramount that this education take place."

Other survey findings show that physicians who feel well-informed about PGx testing are more than twice as likely to recommend or order a genetic test.