Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Institute for Individualized Medicine (IIM)?
The Institute for Individualized Medicine (IIM) is an organization with the goal of
promoting individualized medicine to people, companies and government agencies
through education and implementation assistance.
What is individualized medicine?
Individualized medicine applies functional genomic testing to understand an individual’s
genotype and uses that information to identify the best treatment strategies for chronic
diseases. Individualized medicine also reduces the potential risk of disease without
waiting for signs or symptoms to appear.
What does IIM do?
The Institute for Individualized Medicine has three major activities.
First, monitor the scientific literature for the latest advances about the effect of genes on
the prevention and treatment of disease. All of IIM’s applications of genomic testing
results are based on information from peer-reviewed papers in established scientific
journals.
Second, educate health care providers about how to apply the results of genomic testing.
Third, implement individualized medicine solutions for companies and government
agencies.
How can IIM benefit older people?
Functional genomic testing benefits older people in two ways; first, nutrigenomic
intervention can delay the onset or prevent chronic disease (heart disease, stroke,
osteoporosis and cancer) and second, pharmacogenomic intervention can identify the
right drug at the right time for the right person.
Are there examples in the scientific literature where functional genomic testing has
been integrated into a health care practice?
A reprint of Dr. Veltmann’s paper, “Integrative Medicine as
Personalized Medicine” published in the June 2005 online journal for the American
Association of Integrative Medicine explains how functional genomic testing
can address major chronic diseases affecting the US population (see Presentations).
Can functional genomic testing be used to reduce adverse drug reactions?
A reprint of Dr. Veltmann’s paper, “Pharmacogenomics” published
in the August 2005 online journal for the American Association of Integrative Medicine,
presents clinical examples showing how functional genomics can reduce adverse drug reactions in a population using prescription and over-the-counter medications (see Presentations).
What is the return on investment?
A program demonstrating the benefits of individualized medicine has four cost
elements; screening the population, functional genomic testing, genomic counseling, and
health recommendations. The cost per person ranges between $2,000 and $6,000 with an
average of $3,500. Depending on the disease, the savings per person can be between
$10,000 and $100,000.
At the Merchant Marines during a two-year period, IIM was paid $44,000 for functional
genomic testing, nutrigenomic interventions and genomic information. More than 200
people were treated and the organization saved an estimated $800,000.
How soon will benefits be realized?
Depending on the nature of the intervention, the results could be immediate as in the case
of breast cancer or take several months (osteoporosis)
How does an organization apply the ideas of individualized medicine?
Three steps are required:
1. Evaluate and screen people to determine how many have, or could have,
diseases conditions that could benefit from genomic intervention. Examples
are breast cancer, prostate cancer, and osteoporosis. The objective is to
estimate the potential benefit to your insured population.
2. Analyze current medical costs and estimate savings by applying individualized medicine.
Estimate return on investment.
3. Implementation has three parts. (a) Perform genomic testing, (b) explain
results to each participant, (c) inform healthcare professional of possible
actions using genomic information.
