Most adults carry genes affecting response to common medicines, Bupa study finds
A gene testing pilot scheme has uncovered that many people carry certain genetic traits that can affect how their bodies respond to everyday medicines —potentially increasing side effects or making some drugs less effective. In the trial, the genes of 2,200 adults were examined to understand how their bodies react to over-the-counter medications such as antibiotics and painkillers.
The pilot, part of Bupa's My Genomic Health scheme, discovered 99 per cent of participants had at least one genetic variant that could alter their response to certain drugs. This suggests that for some people, everyday medicines might not work as expected, or could cause more side effects.
It also screened for genetic risks linked to 36 preventable diseases, including cancer, heart conditions, and type 2 diabetes.
The results showed that 91 per cent had a genetic and lifestyle risk for at least one disease, while nearly half (49 per cent) carried a genetic variant that could raise the risk of certain conditions in their children.
Furthermore, 73 per cent were discovered to have multiple genetic markers that heightened their risk for issues like high cholesterol, skin cancer, or type 2 diabetes, many of which could be prevented or detected early, leading to improved health outcomes.
Dr Rebecca Rohrer, clinical innovation and genomics director for Bupa, said: "We've long known that most medications only work for 30-50 per cent of the population. However, this pilot has highlighted just how significantly individual genomes impact the effectiveness of medications in treating conditions.
"With more than half of us regularly taking prescription medication and an increasing number affected by a chronic condition, it's crucial that people are prescribed the right medicine from the start, tailored to their unique genetic makeup.
"In the longer term, genomics is key to early detection and even preventing some illnesses altogether."
Following the successful pilot, Medication Check is now available for purchase through Bupa and will also be accessible to over three million of its customers as part of its workplace health scheme.
A saliva test will determine which medications are most likely to prove effective, those carrying heightened risk of adverse side effects, or treatments that simply won't work for individual patients.
Following completion of the home-based medication assessment, patients will receive a GP consultation with the healthcare provider to discuss any treatments flagged up in their genetic analysis.
This development coincides with Bupa's plans to launch two additional products within its My Genomic Health range later this year, designed to help prevent or identify illness at earlier stages.
The DNA Health Check will give people early warning of an increased genetic risk of four different conditions - breast cancer, prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
While the Advanced DNA Health Check will combine insights from medication, disease risk, carrier status and traits, and will look at the genetic risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, metabolic disease and 10 types of cancer.
Carlos Jaureguizar, CEO for Bupa Global, India & UK, said: "Whole genomic sequencing is fundamentally changing our approach to healthcare, pivoting from treatment to prevention.
"It has the power to become a health passport that people can reference throughout their lives.
"We firmly believe genomics is the path to health innovation and prevention, reducing the nation's health burden and giving people personalised knowledge of their own genomic profile to live well for longer."
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