What is Pharmacogenomics?
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genetic differences influence drug metabolism, efficacy, and toxicity. Each person has unique genetic variations that can affect how they process medications.
These variations can influence the activity of enzymes that metabolize drugs, transport proteins, and drug receptors, ultimately impacting how well a medication works and the likelihood of side effects.
Why should I take a Pharmacogenomic (Pgx) Test?
Medication is not a one-size-fits-all solution; each individual’s response to medication can vary significantly. Pharmacogenomic testing is an innovative approach that combines the fields of pharmacology and genetics to tailor medication treatments based on individual genetic profiles. Only 2% of clinical trials are conducted in Africa. Medication should not be a trial and error exercise but rather one that is informed by a genetic test which helps your Doctor prescribe drugs that have a better therapeutic effect for you, avoiding those drugs that will have an adverse side effect or worse, result in treatment failures.
Avoid trial and error
Taking the correct drug and dose at the correct time of day will lead to faster, safer, and more effective treatment, improving your quality of life.
Improved safety
Pharmacogenomic tests can help identify potential adverse drug reactions before they occur. Some individuals may have genetic variations that make them more susceptible to side effects from certain medications. By identifying these risks in advance, doctors can adjust prescriptions to avoid harmful reactions, ensuring a safer treatment process.
Informed decision-making
Having access to your pharmacogenomic profile empowers you to make informed decisions about your health. Armed with this knowledge, you can engage in more meaningful discussions with your healthcare provider and take a proactive role in managing your treatment plan.
Cost efficiency
While the initial cost of pharmacogenomic testing might seem high, it can lead to significant savings in the long run. By avoiding ineffective or harmful medications, patients can reduce the need for additional treatments or hospital visits, ultimately lowering their healthcare costs.
Know how your body breaks down drugs
A pharmacogenomic test will guide your understanding of how your body breaks down your medications. We all metabolize drugs differently. Due to the variability in our genes we are either an ultra rapid, rapid, normal or poor metabolizer of drugs. This means that a drug that is broken down too quickly is excreted before it has performed its function, or too slowly in which case it may build up toxicity in our blood and have the effect of an overdose.
Applications in various conditions
Pharmacogenomic testing is beneficial across a range of conditions, including mental health disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This versatility makes it a valuable tool in many areas of healthcare, as it can help optimize treatment plans for various diseases and conditions.
The future of medicine
By embracing pharmacogenomic testing, healthcare providers can move away from the trial-and-error model of medication prescription and towards a more informed, precise, and personalized approach. This not only enhances patient care but also fosters a future where medicine is tailored to the unique genetic makeup of each individual.
Fact: Of the 2178 genotyped (tested) patients, 98.8% carried at least one actionable pharmacogenomic genotype and 23.3% had at least one actionable gene-drug pair (for a change in prescription).
Your Pharmacogenomic Test Journey:
Sample Collection: A healthcare provider collects a DNA sample with a cheek swab from you or you can choose to swab yourself. Your cheek swab is sent to our lab via a courier and paid for by us.
DNA Analysis: The sample is sent to a laboratory, where the DNA is extracted and analyzed for specific genetic markers. Variations in your DNA that contribute to how your body will respond to a drug is identified. ( This may take 2 weeks)
Interpretation: The test results are interpreted to understand how your genetic variants may influence your response to certain medications. A personalised report is generated by our proprietary software. Thereafter a humanly curated summary report is
Doctor Review: Sent to your doctor together with your full report (this may take 1 week).
Personalised Treatment Plan: Based on the test results, your doctor can create a personalised medication plan that considers your genetic profile.
Why DNA Meds?
At DNAMeds we are passionate about providing you with a once off, evidence based, high quality, comprehensive test to manage your drug therapy.
Evidence
Our DNAMeds Test is based on the most robust evidence of internationally accredited guidelines and ongoing local population research of the 108000 Africa Genomes Project.
Expert
The quality of our reporting is maintained by our Chief Pharmacogenomics Officer Dr Jennifer Marquez and her expert team using our calibrated proprietary software.
Actionable results
We report on actionable variants that your Doctor can use to tailor your prescription to your unique needs immediately.
Comprehensive test
We offer a comprehensive test that evaluates all known drug-gene pairs responsible for drug metabolism. This test provides a full view of your genetic predispositions concerning medication metabolism, eliminating the need to retest for individual genes. Equipped with detailed information about your genetic profile, your doctor can tailor a medication management plan specifically for you.
Worldwide and future validity
In an increasingly globalised world, the ability to seamlessly transfer and understand your medical information is crucial. The creation of a user-friendly summary of your pharmacogenomics (Pgx) report by a Pgx Consultant Pharmacist ensures your healthcare journey is smooth and informed, no matter where you are. We are here to assist you throughout your journey.
Fact: Data from the multi-national Pre-emptive Pharmacogenomic Testing for Preventing Adverse Drug Reactions (PREPARE) study suggest that genotype guidance for prescriptions reduced the incidence of clinically relevant adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by 30%.