What is Pharmacogenomics (PGx)

What is Pharmacogenomics?

Pharmacogenomics is the study of how your DNA affects how you process and respond to medications. This gives us a more accurate picture of which medications would be better options for you and which ones may give you more side effects or not work as well. This then helps your healthcare professional choose better & safer medication options for you.

Who would benefit from this?

While everyone can benefit from this testing, it is particularly helpful for patients on certain medication classes such as blood thinners, psychiatric or antidepressants, and medications for cardiovascular conditions. Medical literature reports that response rates for many drugs are only between 50-75%? That means there’s a chance that up to half of the prescriptions patients receive aren’t working as intended. On top of that, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are the fourth leading cause of death and are estimated to cost $136 billion annually. ​​

Given that a patient’s DNA can account for up to 95% of how they respond to a medication, a pharmacogenomic (PGx) test may help guide better medication prescribing to benefit patients

I’m young, healthy, and not taking any medications. Do I still need this test?

Your genes do not change. While you may not be on any medications currently, we tailor this to include your family history so that down the line – it can help choose better options should you need to start taking medications.

How is your service different to anyone else’s?

When doing your report, we also thoroughly review your medications & herbal/supplements and medical history to help screen for potential duplications in therapy, over or underuse of medications and help streamline your medications in general. All this is included in the comprehensive price as opposed to separate appointments.

References:

• Spear BB, Heath-Chiozzi M, Huff J: Clinical application of pharmacogenetics. Trends Mol. Med.7, 201–204 (2001).

• Johnson JA, Bootman JL. Drug-related morbidity and mortality. A cost-of-illness model. Arch Intern Med 1995;155(18):1949–1956.

• Kalow W, et al. Pharmacogenetics 1998;8:283-289