We know from growing clinical evidence that genetic variation can meaningfully influence how patients respond to medications, both in terms of effectiveness and risk of adverse effects. Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing through the GenoRx™ Program helps identify these differences by detecting actionable gene–drug interactions that can guide medication selection and dosing.
In practice, PGx can help reduce the trial-and-error approach many patients experience, improve medication tolerability, and support better adherence. To date, the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) has published 27 Level A guidelines with actionable recommendations for more than 90 medications across a range of common therapeutic areas.
PGx at Providence
Through the GenoRx™ program, testing is available as a supported clinical service with results integrated directly into Epic. Genetic results are stored as discrete data, so they can continue to inform prescribing decisions over time, not just at a single point of care. Our current focus is making PGx easier to use and more accessible in everyday practice. This includes expanding access to testing, improving clinical decision support so it’s more intuitive and relevant at the point of prescribing, and integrating PGx earlier—especially in primary care and chronic disease management. In April 2026, we are also launching a proactive population health PGx initiative to broaden access and better understand real-world outcomes, with a focus on ensuring equitable implementation across patient populations.
Where PGx has the Greatest Clinical Impact
PGx is most relevant where drug response variability is high, therapeutic windows are narrow, or the consequences of treatment failure are severe.
Behavioral Health: antidepressants, anxiolytics with genes CYP2C19, CYP2D6
Cardiology: antiplatelet, statin, anticoagulant with genes CYP2C19, SLCO1B1, VKORC1
Oncology: chemotherapy with genes DPYD, TPMT, NUDT15, UGT1A1
Pain management: opioids, NSAIDs with genes CYP2D6, CYP2C9
Neurology: antiepileptics with genes HLA-A, HLA-B
Primary care & polypharmacy: complex medication regimens, high-risk elderly patients
Test coverage is strongest when PGx testing is tied to a specific prescribing decision involving a drug-gene pair supported by CPIC Level A guideline. Click here to see the full medication list.
“Pharmacogenomics is a fascinating field and incredibly necessary and important. The results of my test directly impacted my health. Now I can make much more informed choices about medications and can simply avoid likely medication problems that this test identified. My test results validate my own experience with various classes of medications which I have had negative reactions to over many years. I wish I’d had this data 20 or 30 years ago! I would have been able to prevent some serious problems. This is such an important field, and the information will help so many people avoid unnecessary suffering.”
Esther F
Providence Patient
Many patients are surprised to learn physicians can test their DNA to assess how the patient’s metabolism affects medication safety and effectiveness. “As we have piloted this in our primary care office, the impact on patient care reinforces the utility of easy access for testing. We have focused on treatment of depression and hyperlipidemia, and medication changes have been instituted as a result of our findings."
Dr. Devora Cohen
Santa Monica Family Physician
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