PGX Testing Review: PanaceaPGX miGene™

First impressions are lasting impressions. When I was first approached by Bloggin’ Mamas to work with PanaceaPGX to promote their PGX testing, miGene™, I was very excited.

Last summer, my son had become very ill with a “virus.” After he had reoccurring bouts of the same “virus” over the next month, it was determined that he was suffering from a hereditary autoinflammatory issue.

His diagnosis and subsequent treatment were scary, and it seemed that very few medications seemed to work on him despite their documented success in others with the same disorder. That’s where PanaceaPGX comes in.

What is PGX?

Drug-gene testing—also called pharmacogenomics, or pharmacogenetics—is the study of how your genes affect your body’s response to medicines. Pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing studies the genes in the liver (Cytochrome P450) that are in charge of metabolizing most drugs in the body. Differences in these genes determine the usefulness of medication in the body from beneficial effect to the side effects experienced during the metabolism process.

Who is PanaceaPGX?

PanaceaPGX is a PGX testing company. Their testing, miGene™, is based on pharmacogenetics. PanaceaPGX offers many testing solutions to help you and your doctor determine which medication and dose are right for you. miGene™ helps determine how well you metabolize medications—good and bad—by offering an outline of how your body’s unique biology allows it to process medicine.

How It Works

First, PanaceaPGX will collect your information including current medications, medical history, and current symptoms. A telehealth appointment is then set up with one of PanaceaPGX’s medical practitioners to determine medical necessity. If the practitioner considers you a candidate that will benefit from a PGX test, a prescription for the test is issued.

Next, after your payment is processed, a PGX collection kit is shipped to you, with easy to follow instructions for collecting your sample (a simple cheek swab).  Once you obtain your sample, place your sample in the provided container and ship your kit back to PanaceaPGX via the pre-paid shipping envelope.

Finally, once PanaceaPGX receives your sample they will process the sample for their 16-panel genetic test. Once the data is retrieved, a representative will notify you that your test is complete and provide a portal for sharing your results with your doctor to review which medications work best for your genetic makeup, what medications to avoid, and offer red flags for possible health issues with your current drug treatment.

Note: This testing and process is HIPAA compliant, and PanaceaPGX doesn’t sell your information to pharmaceutical companies. Your results are private to you.

Final Thoughts

Since my son’s treatment plan has been more of a trial and error, I decided to collect his sample—a simple cheek swab—for PGX testing. While the information I received was very valuable, I felt that the notification telephone call was the most confusing aspect of the entire process. I work in the healthcare field, I understand how medications work on certain conditions. However, when I was informed that my sons’ test results were available and a representative (a physician) would be calling me with the results, I inquired about a written copy that I could read before and during the call. I was informed that the written information would be available AFTER the call. 

When the call came, I was taken aback by what I was hearing. The representative that called me spoke so fast and used so much medical and pharmacological jargon, I can guarantee no one that does not work in the healthcare field will be able to comprehend the complexity of the results. The call lasted about 25 minutes, and I attempted to take notes, but after the first few minutes, I just gave up. He was speaking so fast and left no room for a comment that I felt that he may as well have sent me a prerecorded message.

A few days later I was given access to the portal where I could read, print out, and send my sons’ doctor a copy of the results. This was much more informative than the telephone call.

Overall, I would recommend that PanaceaPGX revamp their procedures for reviewing test results. It seems the customer would be much better served with a copy of the results in front of them BEFORE the call from the representative. Additionally, having a representative that can speak in less jargon and with more compassion would be extremely beneficial to the consumer that will purchase this service for $799!

Get it Now

You  can now order the PanaceaPGX miGene™ test for just $499 (retail $799). Access your discounted order form HERE: http://bit.ly/panaceabm

DISCLOSURE: This is a sponsored post, powered by PanaceaPGX.  I received a PanaceaPGX miGene™ testing kit to sample and give my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.