A new partnership could help physicians incorporate genetic traits into their prescriptions
Laboratory-testing company Lifelabs is partnering with GenXys Health Care Systems to help Canadian physicians prescribe medications based on their patients’ individual medical and genetic profiles.
According to a 2014 study from the University of British Columbia, 8% of emergency room visits were due to harmful side effects of prescribed drugs or incorrect prescriptions. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reportedly result in 10,000 to 22,000 deaths and $13 billion in costs to the Canadian healthcare system yearly.
Pharmacogenetic testing can reduce costs related to ADRs. A patient’s DNA can be collected using a cheek swab, which is then sent to LifeLabs to be tested for 60 genetic variations that affect how a patient processes and responds to medications.
The patient’s pharmacogenetic data can then be integrated with conventional medical information — age, weight, blood pressure, allergies, and so on — using TreatGX software from GenXys. After that, the patient’s genetic and non-genetic medical profile can be evaluated against the latest reliable information concerning the safety and efficacy of more than 750 medications. Those medications treat over 30 common conditions such as depression, hypertension, and osteoarthritis.
“Advancements in technology allow us to provide services and information specifically tailored to the unique characteristics of every patient,” said LifeLabs CEO Sue Paish.
More than 150 medications currently carry warnings about potential adverse effects from specific genetic variations. Through genetic testing, physicians will be able to put that information to good use. “This is a tremendous opportunity to improve how we prescribe medication, said Dr. Martin Dawes, the founder and CEO of GenXys and professor at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Family Practice.
“Partnering with GenXys positions Canada as a leader in personalized medicine and gives Canadians and their healthcare providers more confidence in the effectiveness of their medical treatment, putting less strain on our health care system,” Paish said.
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According to a 2014 study from the University of British Columbia, 8% of emergency room visits were due to harmful side effects of prescribed drugs or incorrect prescriptions. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reportedly result in 10,000 to 22,000 deaths and $13 billion in costs to the Canadian healthcare system yearly.
Pharmacogenetic testing can reduce costs related to ADRs. A patient’s DNA can be collected using a cheek swab, which is then sent to LifeLabs to be tested for 60 genetic variations that affect how a patient processes and responds to medications.
The patient’s pharmacogenetic data can then be integrated with conventional medical information — age, weight, blood pressure, allergies, and so on — using TreatGX software from GenXys. After that, the patient’s genetic and non-genetic medical profile can be evaluated against the latest reliable information concerning the safety and efficacy of more than 750 medications. Those medications treat over 30 common conditions such as depression, hypertension, and osteoarthritis.
“Advancements in technology allow us to provide services and information specifically tailored to the unique characteristics of every patient,” said LifeLabs CEO Sue Paish.
More than 150 medications currently carry warnings about potential adverse effects from specific genetic variations. Through genetic testing, physicians will be able to put that information to good use. “This is a tremendous opportunity to improve how we prescribe medication, said Dr. Martin Dawes, the founder and CEO of GenXys and professor at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Family Practice.
“Partnering with GenXys positions Canada as a leader in personalized medicine and gives Canadians and their healthcare providers more confidence in the effectiveness of their medical treatment, putting less strain on our health care system,” Paish said.
Related stories:
Multiple prescriptions might increase risks of inappropriate medication
Public plans facing costs pressure
