Bothell’s Iverson Genetic Diagnostics, Inc. announced that the WARFARIN Study (Warfarin Adverse Event Reduction for Adults Receiving Genetic Testing at Therapy Initiation) was initiated in major hospital systems nationwide to assess the utility of genetic testing to determine a personalized warfarin dose for individual patients to reduce their risk of serious bleeding or clotting events. Warfarin, the most commonly prescribed blood thinner worldwide, causes up to 100,000 serious and unnecessary adverse events every year, including thousands of deaths. Studies have shown that DNA testing can dramatically improve the safety and effectiveness of warfarin, with estimated savings to the U.S. health-care system of approximately $1.1 billion.

Warfarin is prescribed to 2 million patients in the U.S. annually and approximately 20 million Americans use the drug in total. Warfarin is difficult to dose as patients respond to it differently according to their genetic makeup — too much warfarin can result in severe bleeding, and too little can cause clot formation and increased risk of stroke. In the past, warfarin dosing relied on trial-and-error, which exposed patients to serious medical risks. Warfarin is the second most frequent cause of drug-related emergency room visits.

“This landmark study is about more than warfarin,” said Dean Sproles, CEO and chairman, Iverson Genetic Diagnostics Inc., which initiated the WARFARIN Study. “It is about individualizing treatment to improve patient safety and outcomes, thereby reducing health-care costs. CMS’ support of the WARFARIN Study demonstrates their commitment to exploring the impact of genetic testing on individualized dosing, which may pave the way for other studies in the personalized medicine arena.”