Everyone’s DNA is unique, and recent scientific advances have shown that your genes affect how you respond to medication – this is known as pharmacogenomics.

What is PharmaGene?

PharmaGene is a pharmacogenomics test that scans your genetic code to look for specific genetic variations you may carry, which will affect how you react to certain medications. The test will show you whether these medications may be ineffective, potentially toxic, or lead to severe negative reactions. PharmaGene looks at your genetic code and considers how your lifestyle (drug-lifestyle interactions) and current medication (drug-drug interactions) may influence how effective medicine is for you.

Based on specific known genetic variations, a medication may end up being blocked or processed too slowly and is then less likely to have beneficial effects. It may also potentially build up in your body and put you at risk of an accidental overdose. In these cases, individuals are referred to as poor metabolisers of the medication. Some genetic variations cause the medicine to move too fast through your body, which means it will pass out of your body before it has had a chance to work and be ineffective. In cases like these, you are referred to as an ultrarapid metaboliser of the medication. PharmaGene looks for these genetic variations to provide information based on your unique genetic code.

PharmaGene report

Live report

R 4 900

PharmaGene makes use of a live report which includes an online portal and will solely be used by healthcare providers. The product is intended for people impacted by polypharmacy (more than four medications) or for those where finding the right treatment regime has proven to be complicated. Your healthcare provider will be able to use the portal to look at the effects of new future medication they wish to add to your treatment plan.

Anyone can do a PharmaGene test. The results can be used for existing and future medication recommendations.

You could do a test for your child who isn’t already on medication, to arm yourself and the child with this information for the future.

For those currently on medication, PharmaGene is particularly useful when someone is taking four or more medications at a time, where the likelihood of side effects due to drug-drug interactions is increased. PharmaGene allows for real-time clinical decisions to be made based on the support modelling tool. It allows doctors to tailor an optimal treatment plan using a live portal to modify doses or medications to achieve the lowest risk for negative side effects while still achieving the intended medication outcome.

On average, people 45 years and older take four prescription medications daily. People aged 65-69 take, on average, take 14 prescription medications daily. About 1/5 of prescriptions given to elderly patients aren’t appropriate and negative reactions to medications are responsible for 28% of re-hospitalisations.

Benefits of PharmaGene

There are more than 150 medications that are affected by genetic variations in our DNA. Among these medications are those commonly prescribed for cardiovascular issues, diabetes, mental health, and pain management. Many of these medicines are a one size fits all, which means that people are prescribed a particular medicine for a specific health problem, at a set dose. But medicines don’t always work in the same way for different people. Some people might respond very well to certain medicines and some might not show any response. For some, their medication may also give them unwanted side effects.

Rather than spending time going through many rounds of medication adjustments to get both the medication and dosage right, PharmaGene will ensure that you are taking the right medication from the beginning. You can also avoid taking medications for which you are at high risk for severe negative reactions. The test results could be used throughout your life to guide the choice and the dosage of medicine, making it more likely that you receive the most effective medicine for you the first time you are treated and with the fewest potential side effects.

Coriell Life Sciences performed a study in the USA, which analysed the outcomes of our pharmacogenomics test on 5 288 individuals over the age of 65¹.

01

Download the PharmaGene TRF, fill it in and email it to pharmagene@nextbio.co.za.

Download TRF

02

You will pay for the test upfront, and we will send you a saliva collection kit.

03

Upon receiving the kit, you will take your sample and inform us when it is ready for collection. We will arrange for the sample to be couriered to the lab.

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Two-three weeks later, your report will be emailed to you.

How can PharmaGene help me improve my health?

This test may determine that alternative drug therapy is better suited for you. It could be that a different medication would be more effective or less likely to cause side effects. It also eliminates some of the guesswork around choosing your medication. You will be aware upfront of the drugs most suited to you based on your genetic makeup, lifestyle, and current drug regimen.

Will this test give me information about my ancestry or tell me if I will get cancer?

No, this DNA test will not report ancestry information or determine your likelihood of developing diseases, including cancer. This DNA test will only explain how your genes affect your response to specific medications.

How long until I receive the results?

When we receive the saliva sample, it typically takes about 2-3 weeks to process and analyse the DNA. After that, you will receive your report via email.

What if I am not taking any medications currently, is the test still valuable?

It doesn’t matter if you are taking medication currently. This is a once-off test, and the information can be used for drug choices in the future. If you get prescribed a new medication in the future, you and your doctor could use this report to determine what your best medication options are.

What happens to my DNA?

During the analysis process, generally, most of the DNA is consumed. However, should some be leftover following testing, we will store it for five years, in accordance with local regulation.

How is my information kept secure?

Next Biosciences takes the privacy of its clients very seriously and has implemented reasonable security measures to guard against the unauthorised disclosure of private client information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

Who do I contact if I have questions about my results?

If you have any questions regarding your results, please send us your questions via email to pharmagene@nextbio.co.za, and we will ensure that someone from our medical team will get back to you.

Patient Test Requisition Form

Sample Report

Jarvis, J et al. Real-World Impact of a Pharmacogenomics-Enriched Comprehensive Medication Management Program. J. Pers. Med. 2022, 12(3), 421