Better Sooner podcast episode: when software eats science, precision medicine is born
Marc Andreessen famously said that "software is eating the world." Many now say that AI is eating software. What about clinical science and precision medicine? Our phones combine many technologies that work together seamlessly. The science behind precision medicine is also well developed, so why has it been so hard to make all of its parts work together just as smoothly?
That question is at the heart of "Better Sooner", episode #2003 of the It's Never Too Late To Be Healthy podcast. The host, author, entrepreneur and group benefits executive Kevin Brady of Advica Health, talks with Veronika Litinski, CEO of Pillcheck. Kevin encourages his clients and readers to take control of the four wheels of health: nutrition, exercise, sleep and mindfulness. Who would disagree with the message of his book, Never Too Late to Be Healthy: Reaching Peak Health in Middle Age?
Listen to the episode: Episode #2003: Better Sooner with Veronika Litinski (Advica Health) or on Spotify.
What are precision medicine and personalized health care?
Medications are not "one size fits all". Everyone has genetic variations that affect how they respond to prescription drugs. Pharmacogenetics, the study of how genes affect medication response, is a powerful science, but for many years its insights were rarely available outside large research centres. In the podcast, Veronika Litinski describes how collaboration between software engineers and biologists brought this science out of the lab and into everyday care.
Truly personalized health care combines two perspectives: that of the person receiving care and that of the health care organization. Pillcheck was built to bring both together as an affordable and accessible precision medicine service, where software engineers and biologists work with experts in pharmacology and health insurance. Pillcheck helps individuals and their healthcare providers match medication therapy to the person's DNA.
Why does pharmacogenetics matter for so many people?
Gene-drug interactions are not rare. In a study of more than 7.7 million US veterans, researchers projected that 99% carry at least one genetic variant that could change the choice or dose of a medication, and more than half had been prescribed at least one drug affected by these variants.
Acting on this information makes a difference. In a large European trial of nearly 7,000 patients, using a pharmacogenetic panel to guide prescribing lowered the rate of clinically relevant side effects by about 30% compared with usual care.
How does precision medicine help individuals and benefits plans?
An illness can look very different from one person to the next. Each patient may have different symptoms and need a different treatment approach to reach their healthiest outcome. Kevin and Veronika agree that people need to take greater control of their health, especially when they are recovering from an injury, a mental health diagnosis or the onset of a heart condition.
In the conversation, they explore the value of precision medicine for both sides of a benefits plan. For individuals, finding the right medication and dose sooner can mean fewer side effects and less trial and error. For employers and plan sponsors, it can mean fewer wasted prescriptions and a faster return to health and work. Learn more in 5 ways Pillcheck helps businesses manage benefits costs.
How can Pillcheck help?
Pillcheck is a pharmacogenetic test that shows how your genes affect your response to medications. A Pillcheck pharmacist reviews your results together with your current medications, and the report gives your healthcare providers clear, guideline-based recommendations for medication choice and dose.
Pillcheck testing is performed in CAP- and COLA-accredited clinical genetic laboratories located in Canada. Pillcheck reports on 24 genes, increasing coverage with new guidelines and drug labels (see the genes tab), and covers 355 medications, which account for over 70% of dispensed prescriptions. The Pillcheck test panel ensures high accuracy for people of non-European and admixed ancestries. Your results last a lifetime, and report updates are free of charge.
Summary
- "Better Sooner" is episode #2003 of the It's Never Too Late To Be Healthy podcast, hosted by Kevin Brady of Advica Health, with Pillcheck CEO Veronika Litinski.
- Software and biology working together have made pharmacogenetics practical outside research centres.
- Almost everyone carries at least one genetic variant that can affect medication choice or dose.
- Genetics-guided prescribing has been shown to reduce side effects.
- Precision medicine offers value to individuals and to group benefits plans.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I listen to the Better Sooner episode?
The episode is available on the Advica Health website and on Spotify.
What is pharmacogenetic testing?
Pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing looks at genes that affect how your body processes and responds to medications. The results help your healthcare providers choose a medication and dose that are more likely to work for you, with fewer side effects.
Do I need to repeat a pharmacogenetic test?
No. Your genes do not change, so your results last a lifetime. Pillcheck report updates are free of charge as new guidelines and drug labels become available.
Can benefits plans cover pharmacogenetic testing?
Some group benefits plans and health spending accounts cover pharmacogenetic testing. Check with your plan administrator, or read how Pillcheck helps businesses manage benefits costs.
References
- Chanfreau-Coffinier C, Hull LE, Lynch JA, et al. Projected prevalence of actionable pharmacogenetic variants and level A drugs prescribed among US Veterans Health Administration pharmacy users. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(6):e195345. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.5345
- Swen JJ, van der Wouden CH, Manson LE, et al. A 12-gene pharmacogenetic panel to prevent adverse drug reactions: an open-label, multicentre, controlled, cluster-randomised crossover implementation study. Lancet. 2023;401(10374):347-356. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01841-4
