Pharmacogenetic testing:

What is it and how can it improve your health?

Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on December 01, 2020

Brown eyes or blue? Tall or short? Full head of hair or bald? You can thank (or blame) your parents for your unique physical features. Our bodies are made up of thousands of genes we inherited from our mothers and fathers that together form our DNA. These genes determine the characteristics that are specific to us, from our eye colour to our blood type.

Genes are also responsible for how we metabolize or process medications. That means we all respond differently to drugs due to variations in our DNA. This is the reason some drugs cause mild to severe side effects, like nausea, weight gain, even abnormal heart rhythms or no adverse reactions at all.

Now imagine a test that could pinpoint the drugs that are best for our bodies from a small sample of our saliva.

It could be life changing, right?

Pharmacogenetics makes it possible.

What is pharmacogenetic testing?

Pharmacogenetics studies our body’s response to drugs, based on our genetic makeup. Pharmacogenetic testing, also known as PGx, looks for changes or variants in our genes to match drugs to our unique genome or genetic profile.

The results can help our doctors prescribe drugs that are the most effective and safest for us, with the least likelihood of negative side effects.

Who benefits from testing?

By taking the right medications at the right doses based on our DNA, we can feel better, faster and return to work sooner, confident in our treatment, saving time, worry and costs for all.

It is important to note that pharmacogenetic testing looks at gene markers to determine our tolerance to certain medications. There are other factors, beyond genes, which can also affect our response to drugs such as age, weight and diet.

Pharmacogenetic testing is not to be confused with “recreational genetics” that can help us trace our ancestral roots – think AncestryDNA — or genetic testing that reads our DNA to determine our potential risk for disease.

Isn’t genetic testing prohibited?

Pharmacogenetic testing analyzes only the specific genes involved in drug metabolism to determine the risk of toxicity and side effects. They do not assess our inherited predisposition to certain diseases, e.g. heart disease, cancer, which by law, under Bill S-201, prohibits discrimination based on genetic characteristics. Nor does it impact our insurance.

Does Medavie Blue Cross offer testing?

According to a recent survey of Canada’s top 10 insurers, including Medavie Blue Cross all offer a pharmacogenetic testing option. However, we are only one of a few insurers that offers pharmacogenetic testing at preferred pricing through our Personalized Medicine option.

Personalized Medicine is available to all Medavie Blue Cross Plan members via our Connected Care digital health platform.

Who receives testing results?

Your participation in pharmacogenetic testing is voluntary and confidential.

Once the testing results are processed, they are forwarded to you directly. It’s up to you if you want to share them with your doctor to use in prescribing your medication.

How can I learn more?

Visit our Connected Care platform where you will find a suite of innovative healthcare solutions, including Personalized Medicine (PGx test), and Virtual Physio, the newest member of our Connected Care family. Services are available for a fee but may be covered through your Health Spending or Personal Wellness Accounts, depending on your plan. All options draw on the latest innovations and technologies to provide you with the best care possible.

Medavie Blue Cross

For over 75 years, Medavie Blue Cross has been a leading health services partner for individuals, employers and governments across Canada. As the country’s leading Blue Cross plan with over one million card holders, we are a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits to...