Pharmacogenomic testing allows clinicians to examine how individual genetic differences process specific medications, helping patients avoid adverse reactions and ineffective treatments that generic dosing guidelines often fail to predict. Specialist mental health pharmacist Kyra Sycamore launched Christchurch-based PGx Health to offer this cheek-swab testing service directly to the public for $795.
Why Generic Medication Dosing Fails Some Patients
Medicines are typically manufactured and prescribed for the statistical average, but human biology varies widely from person to person. Sycamore discovered her own genetic variant after years of experiencing no pain relief from codeine and tramadol following surgeries in London. A subsequent test revealed reduced activity in her CYP2D6 enzyme, which is responsible for metabolizing those painkillers into substances that provided pain relief.
“If your enzyme doesn’t work, then you don’t get pain relief,” Sycamore said after learning her results. The finding is now recorded in her medical notes to guide future prescribers.
How Pharmacogenomic Testing Identifies Adverse Reactions
University of Otago research professor Martin Kennedy, whose laboratory has worked on pharmacogenetics for about 30 years, noted that about one in 20 people globally completely lack CYP2D6 enzyme activity. Kennedy described these individuals as “poor metabolisers,” noting they face increased adverse reactions to some drugs alongside limited responses to specific painkillers like codeine and tramadol.
Rachel McLaren utilized the testing service for her 15-year-old autistic son after he experienced reactions to several medicines, including a psychosis event and heart palpitations. The cheek-swab results identified potential issues with specific pain relief options and an antibiotic, giving McLaren clearer direction on what medications to avoid.
Accessing PGx Health Testing in New Zealand
The PGx Health service costs $795, which covers an initial consultation, laboratory testing, a simplified report, and a follow-up consultation. Clients complete a simple cheek swab, with results typically delivered within two to three weeks. While Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora national chief medical officer Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard noted that pharmacogenomic testing is publicly funded primarily for specific circumstances like cancer treatments, no established national pathway currently exists.
Kennedy stated that wider public health adoption faces hurdles regarding cost and system strain, emphasizing that electronic medical records must effectively link test results so prescribers receive immediate decision support.
Did you know? Approximately one in 20 people worldwide completely lack the activity of the CYP2D6 liver enzyme, classifying them as poor metabolisers who may experience increased adverse reactions to some drugs or limited response to common drugs like codeine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pharmacogenomic testing involve?
The test uses a simple cheek swab to collect DNA samples, which are then analyzed in a laboratory to identify specific genetic variants affecting drug metabolism.
Does genetic testing prove which medicine will work best?
Is pharmacogenomic testing publicly funded in New Zealand?
Public funding is generally restricted to specific clinical scenarios such as cancer treatments, while broader testing is handled on a case-by-case basis.
How long do test results take?
Results from the PGx Health cheek-swab service generally return within two to three weeks after the sample is sent away.
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