CINCINNATI, July 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Kroger Health,
the healthcare arm of The Kroger Co. providing health, wellness,
and nutrition solutions to more than 14 million people nationwide,
announced its partnership with Myriad Genetics to pilot Myriad
Genetics' GeneSight® pharmacogenomic test with Kroger Health Plan
members. Nearly 500 Kroger pharmacies across five states will
participate in the GeneSight pilot. GeneSight is the
market-leading genetic test to help clinicians personalize
treatment plans for their patients with depression.
"Depression is a leading cause of disability and lost
productivity in the United States,
and only 40 percent of people reach remission after their first
antidepressant medication," said Colleen
Lindholz, President, Kroger Health. "We are committed
to helping people combat this debilitating disease, and we're proud
to launch this pilot program. This test can help patients escape
the frustrating process of trying multiple medications in the hopes
of finding one that works."
GeneSight is a laboratory-developed pharmacogenomic test that
uses cutting-edge technology to analyze 12 genes known to affect
the clinical performance of 56 common medications used to treat
depression. The results of the GeneSight test report can help
clinicians understand how a patient's unique genomic makeup may
impact certain psychiatric drugs and make drug treatment choices
for that patient. In a recent large clinical study of 1,167
patients with moderate to very severe depression who were currently
failing medication, GeneSight-guided care resulted in a 50 percent
improvement in patient remission compared to
treatment-as-usual.
As part of the partnership, GeneSight testing will be
facilitated through Kroger Health pharmacists at select
locations. In areas where the test is being piloted, Kroger
Health Plan members who have failed one or more antidepressant
medications will receive information about the GeneSight test from
a Kroger pharmacist or in the mail. Members will then be
referred to their healthcare provider to determine if a test is
appropriate for them. The goals of the program are to improve
outcomes for patients, improve productivity of Kroger employees,
and lower overall costs to the health plan.
"Our partnership with Kroger Health centers on a shared vision
to help more people with depression get well sooner," said
Chip Parkinson, Executive Vice
President, Payer Markets and Reimbursement, Myriad Genetics.
"Additionally, we believe the GeneSight test will help Kroger
achieve significant cost savings resulting from decreased drug
spend, health care costs and enhanced employee productivity."
Kroger Health includes more than 22,000 healthcare practitioners
serving customers in more than 2,200 pharmacies, over 200 clinics,
and through several digital channels and solutions. Their trained
professionals provide services, treatment and coaching in multiple
areas, from nutrition counseling and weight loss programs, to
diabetes prevention and immunization services. The GeneSight pilot
aligns with Kroger Health's broader health and wellness initiatives
designed to offer personalized healthcare solutions to the 60
million customers that shop at Kroger's family of companies –
including Kroger, Ralph's, Fry's, Fred
Meyer and King Soopers.
About Myriad Genetics
Myriad Genetics Inc., is
a leading personalized medicine company dedicated to being a
trusted advisor transforming patient lives worldwide with
pioneering molecular diagnostics. Myriad discovers and
commercializes molecular diagnostic tests that: determine the risk
of developing disease, accurately diagnose disease, assess the risk
of disease progression, and guide treatment decisions across six
major medical specialties where molecular diagnostics can
significantly improve patient care and lower healthcare
costs. For more information on how Myriad is making a
difference, please visit: www.myriad.com.
About Kroger Health:
Kroger Health, the healthcare arm
of The Kroger Co., is one of America's leading retail healthcare
organizations, with over 2,000 pharmacies and 200 clinics in 35
states serving more than 14 million customers. Our team of 22,000
healthcare practitioners - from pharmacists and nurse
practitioners, to dietitians and technicians - help simplify
healthcare by providing solutions that combine health, wellness,
and nutrition, connecting with customers on an emotional and
personal level. We're also pioneering new work to help drive food
as medicine in order to prevent illness before it starts. Learn
more at www.krogerhealth.com.
About The Kroger Co.
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to
Feed the Human Spirit™. We are nearly half a million associates who
serve nine million customers daily through a seamless digital
shopping experience and 2,800 retail food stores under a variety
of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and
uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To
learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor
relations site.
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SOURCE Kroger Health