The collaborators hope to derive "cases" from electronic medical records (EMRs) and eventually compare their genetic and clinical data with those of healthy control groups. The goal is to identify genetic mutations that are associated with the SAE. Through this initial research, the Consortium hopes to provide a foundation for the next generation of studies that will validate the role of these genetic variations in the development of drug-related SAEs. In this phase of the collaboration, no individual health records or health information will be released by any of the participating institutions in connection with this research. To date, the SAEC has already made significant genetic discoveries in support of its mission. The HMORN-SAEC collaboration is expected to facilitate the discovery of additional genetic findings.

"Our efforts to date on drug-induced liver injury and serious skin rashes have leveraged traditional academic networks recruiting research subjects across a limited number of hospitals," said Arthur L. Holden, Chairman of the SAEC. "By working with these leading HMOs, all of which have sophisticated electronic medical records and outstanding clinical research capabilities, we hope to open up a new, more scalable research channel to enroll subjects into this vital research. Our goal is to increase the breadth and diversity of patients participating and to provide our clinical research collaborators with larger, more developed research cohorts more efficiently and effectively."

"Many adverse drug reactions are likely related in some way to genetic differences among patients," said Robert Davis, MD, director of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research-Southeast and a member of the HMO Research Network. "If we can identify these differences before prescribing medications, we can help promote the safest use of medications. With our large and ethnically diverse populations, and the wide range of medications used, the HMORN is an ideal partner for this type of collaboration."

Source: Zeno Group