Rite Aid/Harmonyx Diagnostics
Pharmacogenetic Testing Program FAQs
June 2015
What is the Rite Aid-defined, mandatory training required for the Harmonyx testing
program?
Pharmacists must complete a series of online training modules prior to consulting with patients. These
modules can be accessed on the Training menu within the Harmonyx pharmacy portal and should take
from 2-5 minutes each to complete. There is an Orientation module providing a broad overview of the
partnership, the value to Rite Aid and to patients, the tests and the end-to-end process. There are also
modules for each specific test detailing clinical relevance, target patient identification information,
communication guidance, pricing and test results.
Which tests do we offer at Rite Aid?
Harmonyx® Test for Statins: $49
Harmonyx® Test for Antiplatelets: $59
Harmonyx® Test for ADHD: $89
What about the Harmonyx® Test for Pain?
Rite Aid does not offer the Harmonyx® Test for Pain at this time, but looks forward to offering
additional tests from Harmonyx® in the future.
Can patients use their Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to
pay for the Harmonyx tests?
Yes. The Harmonyx tests are approved FSA and HSA expenses.
Is my Rite Aid pharmacy compensated for patient consultations and completed tests?
Rite Aid pharmacies retain a percentage of all completed tests sold as pharmacy revenue. Entering the
Rx# from NexGen into the test order on the Harmonyx pharmacy portal ensures accurate allocations.
Can Harmonyx process insurance claims for patients?
No. Patients may submit claims to their insurance providers directly if they wish to seek
reimbursement of their testing costs.
What resources are available to help me share information about Harmonyx tests with my
patients?
In addition to the online training and patient brochures for each test, you will find many resources that
can help you become comfortable and confident discussing pharmacogenetic testing opportunities with
your patients in the Resources section of your dashboard within the Harmonyx Portal. Resources
include clinical support, forms, and various scripts for use in person, over the phone, or in print form.
You will also find sample test results that clearly illustrate the type of guidance testing provides.
Can the Harmonyx tests be ordered for patients taking a medication other than the
targeted medication or patients without a current prescription?
Yes, provided the pharmacist provides the additional information requested in the order entry process
for review by the consulting physician who will review the order for testing. This includes
acknowledging our recommendation to consult with the patient’s prescribing/treating physician prior to
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ordering the test to confirm lack of known contraindications to the targeted medication (ie. Clopidogrel,
Simvastatin, etc.) or other relevant factors from the patient’s history and/or treatment plan. It also
includes providing patient history information relevant to why the test is needed from a selection menu.
Why doesn’t Harmonyx recommend the Statin test for all patients taking
Zocor®/simvastatin?
Statin-induced myopathies typically appear within weeks or months of beginning statin therapy.
Patients who have been taking and tolerating simvastatin for some time are less likely to benefit from
SLCO1B1 testing. However; if you come across a long-time simvastatin patient you believe may be
suffering from statin-induced myopathy, testing is indicated and should be discussed with the patient.
How are patient results delivered?
Patient results for orders placed at the store indicated in your user profile will be visible to you in the
Harmonyx Portal. These appear on your dashboard as “new” test results until first view, and are
always accessible on the Patients tab under Search All Orders. Floaters will see orders for all stores
within their district. The patient’s prescribing physician receives test results via a secure fax to the
number you provide during order entry. Patients who enroll to use the myHarmonyx patient portal
during the ordering process will be given online access to their test results. Patients who would like
results printed at the pharmacy must sign a Release of Information form available under Resources
section of your dashboard within the Harmonyx Portal. The completed form must be faxed to
Harmonyx at 901-507-0480.
What is myHarmonyx?
myHarmonyx is a patient portal via the Harmonyx Diagnostics website that allows patients to access
their test results online. If your patient wishes to enroll, simply obtain his or her email address during
the order process, and enter it into the order on the Harmonyx ordering portal. An email will be
automatically generated to the patient to providing a secure login to create their account and view their
results. Feel free to direct any patient questions related to this tool to Harmonyx Customer Support at
877-746-9460 or via email to [email protected].
The patient agreed to test; how do I place the order?
Please review the online training modules for details. Begin by taking care of the administrative steps.
While the patient prints and signs their name on the Consent Form, we recommend that you begin
completing a Patient Information Sheet (available within Resources on the home page of the Harmonyx
portal). Use the completed info sheet to enter the test information into NexGen as a Service on the
Services tab. Choose Service Type “Harmonyx” and select the appropriate Service Name corresponding
to the test that the patient is purchasing. Enter “Harmonyx <not ol>” in the cardtext field. Print the
monograph and use it to collect payment from the patient at the register, providing the monograph as
a receipt when finished. Instruct the patient on buccal swab collection, and advise that results will be
available in about a week (maybe less). Place the swabs and the completed consent form back in the
envelope before keying the order into the Harmonyx portal and placing the sealed envelope out for
USPS pick up.
The patient did not agree to test at this time; how do I record the consultation?
Patient consultations that do not result in test orders need to be logged into NexGen on the Services
tab. Choose Service Type “Harmonyx” and Service Name “Harmonyx Consultation No Swab: $0.”
Enter “Harmonyx <not ol>” in the cardtext field.
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How long will it take to get results?
The retail price of each test includes USPS Priority mail shipping via your regular mail carrier. Packages
will be delivered to Harmonyx within 2-3 business days from the date of shipment, and Harmonyx
processes swabs within 24-hours. However, we recommend setting customer expectations at about
one week to allow for variables such as no postal service on Sundays or holidays. Patients who sign up
for myHarmonyx will receive results in the patient portal at the same time they are delivered to your
the pharmacy portal
Can I consolidate swab kits, consent forms or shipping envelopes if one patient purchases
more than one test?
No. While the swab kits are generic and can be used for any Harmonyx test, one swab cannot be used
to run more than one test per patient. In order to accurately track and process each test, please
collect two swabs and one consent form for each test sold and place these in their own corresponding
barcoded envelope.
What resources are available to guide patient and prescribing physician discussions
relative to test results and therapy recommendations?
Test results are designed to give straightforward guidance related to the patient’s genotype to help
facilitate consultation with the patient and his or her care team, displaying the most relevant, actionguided information first followed by supplemental and disclaimer information.
The Harmonyx Tests for Antiplatelets and Statins each test a single gene and medication combination,
with patient results following specific CPIC (Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium)
guidelines for that particular patient’s genotype. The Harmonyx Test for ADHD tests four genes and all
FDA-approved ADHD medications, with patient results following a tiered-bin system of green (try these
first), yellow (try these next), and red (try these last) bins in accordance with therapeutic guidelines
based on the patient’s genetic makeup.
Results for all Harmonyx Tests break down the genetic complexities and categorize medications by fit
based on genotype information, with supporting clinical information, guidance notes, and specific
genotype details. Consultations will range significantly from test to test and patient to patient
depending on their results, especially with regard to the comprehensive ADHD results which provide a
plan to guide therapy over time. A patient originally prescribed a drug that shows up as ineffective
according to their genetic makeup will require much different guidance than a patient originally
prescribed a drug that shows up as an effective and recommended therapy.
This guidance will only add value to the prescription therapy and care you deliver your patients. While
results do not pinpoint one perfect drug for each patient or eliminate the possibility of side effects, they
will provide patients and their families a guided therapy approach that can save a significant amount of
time, frustration, pain and potentially money as well.
For additional insights, refer to the clinical resources contained in the Resources section of your
dashboard within the Harmonyx pharmacy portal. Additional support can be obtained from your PDM
and Clinical Manager, followed by second line support from Harmonyx.
How do I promote the Harmonyx Program to physicians in my area?
Harmonyx provides a number of resources that can help inform physicians about the test, beginning
with the patient brochures. There are also clinical overviews and letter templates for each test, located
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in the Resources section of your dashboard within the Harmonyx pharmacy portal. Additional
physician-focused materials are being developed at this time.
What is Find-a-Pharmacy functionality?
The Find a Pharmacy feature is an interactive resource allowing patients to find pharmacies offering
Harmonyx genetic testing by a zip code search at www.harmonyxdiagnostics.com. Results are both
listed and mapped, and patients have the ability to obtain directions to any participating pharmacy.
This is a great tool for driving new customers who value personalized healthcare to Rite Aid.
Where can I find more information on pharmacogenetic testing?
Clicking on the PGxNOW tab in the Harmonyx Portal will take you to this online resource offering direct
access to current industry news, journal articles, and testimonials supporting pharmacogenetic testing.
How do I order additional supplies?
Additional swab kits, patient test brochures and other items can be ordered on the Supplies tab within
the Harmonyx Portal at any time. However, please know that Harmonyx will automatically ship
replenishment swab kits when store inventory reaches 2 kits.
Who can I reach out to at Harmonyx for help?
Harmonyx Customer Support
For day-to-day assistance with all routine aspects of the Harmonyx pharmacy portal and the testing
program in general including requests for additional clinical support.
877-746-9460, Option 3 (phone)
901-507-0480 (fax)
[email protected] (email)
Janet Wacker, Rite Aid Account Manager
For assistance requiring a more in-depth understanding of Rite Aid’s business, as well as general
escalations.
877-746-9460, x7710
[email protected]
June 2015