Pharmacogenetic Testing:
What it is and how it helps
Brown eyes or blue? Tall or short? Straight hair or curly hair? We inherit many of our physical traits from our parents. These traits come from the thousands of genes that make up our DNA.
But genes influence many more things than how we look. They also affect how our bodies process medications. This means people can react differently to the same drug. Some may feel better quickly, others may not get the expected benefit, while still others may have strong side effects like nausea, weight gain, or an irregular heartbeat.
Now imagine a simple test that could help your doctor know which medications will work best for your body—using only a small sample of saliva.
It sounds life‑changing.
That’s what pharmacogenetics can do.
What is pharmacogenetic testing?
Pharmacogenetic testing is a lab test done using saliva collected from a cheek swab. The test looks at your genes to see how your body may respond to certain medications. Your results can help your doctor choose drugs that are safer and more effective for you. This can reduce trial‑and‑error prescribing and may help you feel better sooner.
Who can benefit from pharmacogenetic testing?
When you take medications that match your genetic makeup, you may:
- Get better, faster
- Have fewer side effects
- Feel more confident about your treatment
- Save time, worry, and possible costs
It’s important to remember that genes are not the only factor that affects how we react to medications. Age, weight, and diet also play a role.
Pharmacogenetic testing is not the same as ancestry testing, like AncestryDNA. It also doesn’t look for your risk of diseases.
Who can benefit from pharmacogenetic testing?
When you take medications that match your genetic makeup, you may:
- Get better, faster
- Have fewer side effects
- Feel more confident about your treatment
- Save time, worry, and possible costs
It’s important to remember that genes are not the only factor that affects how we react to medications. Age, weight, and diet also play a role.
Pharmacogenetic testing is not the same as ancestry testing, like AncestryDNA. It also doesn’t look for your risk of diseases.
Is pharmacogenetic testing legal in Canada?
Yes. Pharmacogenetic testing is legal because it looks only at genes involved in how you process medications. It does not look at genes linked to diseases like cancer or heart disease.
Under Canadian law (Bill S‑201), insurers cannot discriminate based on your genetic information. This test does not affect your insurance coverage.
Does Medavie Blue Cross offer pharmacogenetic testing?
Yes. Medavie Blue Cross is one of the few insurers that offers pharmacogenetic testing at preferred pricing. It is available through our Connected Care digital health platform.
Depending on your benefit plan design, the cost may be covered through:
- Your Extended Health plan (with a prescription)
- Your Health Spending Account
- Your Personal Wellness Account
Who sees my pharmacogenetic test results?
Testing is voluntary and confidential.
Once the lab completes the analysis, the results are sent directly to you. You can choose whether to share them with your doctor. The report comes with a letter from the clinical pharmacist who reviewed your results and is designed for a doctor or other prescriber. Medavie’s partner also includes annual updates to your report as the pharmacogenetic information for new drugs becomes available.
How can I learn more?
Visit our Connected Care webpage to learn more about personalized care options and digital health tools available to members.
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on February 25, 2026
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...