MayoClinic.com, GoogleNews.com, February 24, 2010, by Carrie A. Zabel – Personalized medicine offered at your local drugstore?
Two large prescription drug companies have announced plans to offer genetic testing as part of the prescription-filling process. The testing will center on an emerging science, pharmacogenomics, which studies drug response based upon an individual’s genetic make-up. Pharmacogenomic testing is already used for some commonly prescribed drugs such as Tamoxifen and Warfarin.
The process would use a pharmacy benefits management company that would contract with large drugstore chains. When certain prescriptions come in, the company would contact the physician to let them know a genetic test is available, which may help them to more appropriately prescribe that medication. The individual may then be offered the genetic testing, but it wouldn’t be required.
Supporters say this will improve patient safety, health outcomes and decrease overall health care costs by using the right medications in the right patients. It may also provide an opportunity to advance the field of pharmacogenomics by collecting data on genetic testing results and drug effectiveness.
Others are concerned about the privacy of genetic testing information and say the science of pharmacogenomics is premature. Drug metabolism isn’t only based on our genetic make-up, but is affected by many additional factors, such as body size and age. And, since pharmacogenomics is a relatively new science, insurance companies may not reimburse for the cost of genetic testing.
Carrie A. Zabel, M.S., C.G.C., Genetic Counselor
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