Over-the-counter medicines could fail for Brits due to DNA

South Wales Argus

02-08-2025

The trial saw 2,200 adults undergo whole genome sequencing to analyse how their individual DNA responds to the likes of antibiotics and over-the-counter painkillers.
A staggering 99% showed a genetic variant that affects their sensitivity to certain medicines.
This could mean some drugs, including over-the-counter, everyday painkillers, antibiotics and other prescription medications, won't work for some people based on their individual DNA.
DNA could stop over-the-counter medicines working for some Brits
The blood test, part of Bupa's My Genomic Health scheme, also looked into their genetic risk of developing 36 preventable diseases, including cancers, heart conditions and type 2 diabetes.
It found 91% of participants were found to be at risk of developing a disease with genetic and lifestyle risk factors, such as fatty liver disease, breast cancer and certain heart diseases.
While 73% had multiple genetic variants that put them at raised risk of developing a condition that could be prevented or detected early, leading to better health outcomes, including the likes of high cholesterol, skin cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Of the participants, 49% were found to be carriers of a genetic variant that could lead to a raised risk of a certain condition in future generations.
How to get your own Medication Check
Following the successful pilot, Medication Check can now be purchased through Bupa and will also be available to more than three million of its customers as part of its workplace health scheme.
A saliva test will establish what medications are most likely to be effective, those with increased risk of adverse side effects, or ones that won't work for you at all.
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Dr Rebecca Rohrer, clinical innovation and genomics director for Bupa, said: 'We've long known that most medications only work for 30-50% 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 a 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.'
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After completing the at-home medication check, patients will be offered a GP consultation with the healthcare provider to review any medication identified in their genetic tests.
It comes as Bupa is about to introduce two new products to its My Genomic Health suite later this year that will help to prevent or detect illness earlier.
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.
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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.'