Latest news with #RebeccaRohrer
South Wales Argus
02-08-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Over-the-counter medicines could fail for Brits due to DNA
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. When to see your GP about cancer 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.' Today is World Lung Cancer Day. Contact your GP practice if you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms of lung cancer. It's probably nothing serious, but early diagnosis and treatment can save lives. Find out more at — NHS (@NHSuk) August 1, 2025 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. Recommended reading: 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.'
Scottish Sun
30-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Common medicines may not work for some people based on their DNA, experts find
Plus, what to do if you experience side effects from your medication PILL POPPER Common medicines may not work for some people based on their DNA, experts find A PILOT scheme has revealed a widespread genetic sensitivity to common medicines which could increase side effects or stop them working as they should. 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. 1 Genetic variants mean some drugs won't work for some people based on their DNA Credit: Getty A staggering 99 per cent 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. The blood test, part of Bupa's My Genomic Health scheme, also looked their genetic risk of developing 36 preventable diseases including cancers, heart conditions and type 2 diabetes. It found 91 per cent 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 per cent 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. And 49 per cent were found to be carriers of a genetic variant that could lead to raised risk of certain condition in future generations. Following the successful pilot, Medication Check can now be purchased through Bupa, and will also be available to more than three million 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 them at all. 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. Beware 3 of the most dangerous medicines in the world - including one found in almost EVERY home '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.' 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 risks 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.'
Daily Mirror
29-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Most adults carry genes affecting response to common medicines, Bupa study finds
A new gene testing pilot has shown people may carry certain genetic traits that can affect how their bodies respond to everyday medicines - including over-the-counter drugs 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."
