HomeBlogPatientPharmacogenomics: Where Is It Now and Where Is It Going? Pharmacogenomics: Where Is It Now and Where Is It Going? March 21, 2016Patient Pharmacogenomics—the science of how genes affect a person’s response to drugs—has been around for several years now, and if present trends and scientific advances continue, could soon be entering the mainstream of medical care. “I believe that we are right on the cusp of a major change to acceptance of pharmacogenomic tests,” said Dr. Tim Wiltshire, Director of the Center for Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Eshelman School of Pharmacy. According to Wiltshire, the primary issues that have slowed acceptance of the tests are that they have been seen to be not cost-effective or cheap enough or available enough, along with a lack of knowledge in the medical community. But, he said, “We’ve made big strides, because now there are multiple companies offering pharmacogenomic tests, like GeneSight, and more and more people are getting these tests done.” With costs coming down and the robustness of results going up, it seems inevitable that pharmacogenomic tests are ready for prime time in the healthcare arena. Clinicians catching on With pharmacogenomic testing reaching critical mass in the marketplace and rising to front of mind in consumers, clinicians will undoubtedly be more inclined to employ services like GeneSight, Wiltshire felt. “I understand that many clinicians did not get training for this through their medical training, because it wasn’t available. So they don’t necessarily know about it. Also, the cost of the assay has been rather high, and they have often said, ‘Well, I think we can manage our way through this.’ As costs come down and the tests become much more readily available, it will take away that reason for not using the information.” Consumer demand is a driver Wiltshire expects to see an increasing awareness and resulting demand for pharmacogenomic testing among consumers, thanks to word-of-mouth among people who have had the tests in tandem with direct-to-consumer advertising. “I think that’s going to be a big turning point that is actually going to push clinicians into using the tests more. When a patient comes and says, ‘I heard there’s a test for this,” it puts the clinician into a position of having to know about it, and then making a rational decision as to whether to use it or not.” He hopes that trend will result in more pre-emptive use of pharmacogenomic tests, with the tests being administered prior to a specific prescription being written. Such foreknowledge may save time and money, and may also prevent ineffective and/or harmful pharmaceutical treatment by arming the doctor and patient with solid, predictive information about the likely success of a particular course of treatment. Regulatory environment also evolving Pharmacogenomics is also having a growing impact in drug development, clinical trials, and the regulatory world. “This is also changing very rapidly,” said Wiltshire, “in that now the pharma companies are having to bring along genetic markers of efficacy or toxicity as part of their assignment for a clinical trial.” Five years ago, he observed, it was still too costly and the knowledge base was still too incomplete to require that information. “Now, that’s not really an excuse, as regulatory agencies like the FDA are changing quite rapidly in terms of requiring more of this data to come along with new drugs coming onto the market.” Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful. Patient Which Mental Health Provider Should I Consider? A Symptom-Based Guide The support of a good healthcare provider can make all the difference when you’re struggling with your mental health. But how do you connect to one in a sea of ... 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Patient One explanation for why we experience Side Effects? Understanding Your Genetic Response to Antidepressants Antidepressants often play an essential role in helping patients with their mental health conditions. But as many patients can attest, it’s frustrating when... Read more
Patient Barriers at Every Turn: How Systemic and Social Factors Block Men from Mental Health Care Taking the important step of seeking care for mental health isn’t always an easy decision. Uncertainty about the need for care, social stigmas associated wi... Read more
Healthcare Provider Overcoming Side Effect Concerns: Leveraging Pharmacogenomic Insights to Inform Depression and Anxiety Medication Selection Whitnee Brown, a lifelong resident now practicing in Birmingham, Alabama has nearly an entire alphabet following her name, abbreviations for degrees and certifi... Read more
Patient Concerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Lisa Roberts has raised a family, reached an impressively high level in her career, and was an anchor for her mother and other family members. When, within ... Read more
Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more
Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
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Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
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