12 Sep Aegis Sciences Launches New Medication Adherence Tool for Behavioral Healthcare
AcuRiseID™ is a new urinalysis that monitors medication adherence in people with mental illness and substance abuse disorder
Nashville, Tennessee (Sept. 12, 2018) – Aegis Sciences Corporation, a leading healthcare company that provides clinically innovative testing and consulting services to providers, today launched AcuRiseID™, a new tool that offers accurate and informative medication monitoring testing for those being treated for mental illness and substance use disorders. The test provides clinicians with valuable, objective insight that helps them identify if a patient is being consistent with their course of therapy.
“Prescription medications can make a world of difference in the lives of people who have a mental illness or substance use disorder, but there are a lot of issues including social factors, side effects and cost that may keep a person from taking a medication as prescribed,” said Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham, Executive & Medical Director for New Orleans Metropolitan Human Services District. “AcuRiseID allows us to objectively know if a person is taking their medication or taking substances that they should not be, allowing us to have a dialogue about why they might not be following the prescribed therapy and adjusting treatment plans to promote greater outcomes and continued wellness.”
Mental illness is very common. One in five adults in the U.S. experience some form of mental illness each year, and one in 25 experience a serious mental illness. While medication can be effective in treating mental illness, research shows that under 50 percent of people with a mental disorder take their medications as prescribed. Substance use disorder is a growing challenge. It is estimated that one in 12 – more than 20 million Americans – have a substance use disorder.
AcuRiseID is cost-effective, non-invasive and can be administered during regularly scheduled appointments with doctors, clinicians, therapists and counselors. Once the urine sample is collected, it is sent overnight to Aegis’ clinical laboratory where scientists test for medications within two distinct profiles – mental health and substance use disorder. Extensive results are ready within 96 hours and are reported via fax, a web portal or electronic medical records. Clinical pharmacists are available to interpret results and answer questions.
The AcuRiseID mental health profile tests for more than 40 medications including those used to treat schizophrenia, ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression. It helps clinicians understand if their patients are taking their prescribed medications for these disorders. The data also provides valuable insight into proper dosage and allows for adjustments to be made to personalize therapy plans.
“How medications are absorbed and metabolized can vary from person to person,” added Dr. Head-Dunham. “If the urinalysis shows that a patient is taking the prescribed medication, but we do not see the results expected, we can then have objective conversations about how to adjust treatment. This could mean increasing the dosage of a medication, or it could mean we may explore a different diagnosis altogether. This data revolutionizes the way we’re able to prescribe medications.”
AcuRiseID’s substance use disorder profile includes more than 30 drugs including amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and opioids. It helps clinicians know if their patients are taking substances – prescribed or illicit – that may hinder their recovery.
Clinicians can personalize testing orders for different use-cases to best fit their needs. This is especially important when treating individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders. It is estimated that 10.2 million adults with a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental illness.
“There are incredibly effective therapies for even the most serious mental illnesses, but no medication can be effective if it isn’t taken. Similarly, recovery from substance abuse can be derailed by taking the wrong medications,” said Dr. Frank Basile, CEO of Aegis. “AcuRiseID is a valuable tool for clinicians working with those with behavioral health disorders. It takes conjecture out of conversations about therapeutic adherence, helping people and their providers have more productive conversations about their challenges and concerns.”
For more information and details on the testing profiles, visit https://www.aegislabs.com
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About Aegis Sciences Corporation
Founded in 1990, Aegis Sciences Corporation is a laboratory sciences company based in Nashville, Tenn., that provides science-driven testing and consulting services for clients such as healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, professional and amateur sports organizations, leading college and university athletic programs, Fortune 500 corporations, and government agencies throughout the United States. For more information please visit https://www.aegislabs.com/.
