Just as every person is unique, their reaction to medication will also be different.
Factors such as a person’s age, weight, medical issues and other prescribed medications can all influence a person’s reaction to medication. A person’s genetics can also have a significant impact on the effectiveness of specific medications.
This is where “pharmacogenetics” comes in. It studies how genetics can impact medication safety and effectiveness.
Health Innovation North West Coast worked with PGXperts, a German pharmacogenetics innovator, to help them better understand how pharmacogenetics can have a place in existing medication prescribing workflows to reduce adverse drug reactions, enhance treatment outcomes and lower healthcare costs.
In Autumn 2024, our International team hosted a number of focus groups and facilitated some key one-to-one interviews with diagnostics professionals. The focus groups were spilt into primary care (GP practices and community pharmacies) and secondary care (those involved in prescribing in acute hospital settings).
The interviews and focus groups culminated in a summary report that was delivered to PGXperts at the end of November 2024.
Gregor Malischnig, Head of Sales and Global Business Development at PGXperts, said: "Health Innovation North West Coast significantly facilitated our market entry into the UK. As a startup, it's crucial to connect with the right experts to understand the market and to interview and learn from key stakeholders in the processes. We were able to make contacts who continue to be available as advisors. Health Innovation North West Coast’s commitment and comprehensive network saved us a lot of work and simplified (the process). They are still happy to answer questions and collaborate further.”
Kevin Moreton, Head of International Programmes at Health Innovation North West Coast, said: “We hope this report will help PGXperts prepare for entry into the UK market at some point in the near future. We enjoyed exploring together with PGXperts and UK health professionals how this transformational technology could fit into our unique UK prescribing pathways.”
More information
PGXperts have a comprehensive medication support tool, which is currently used in over a dozen hospitals across Germany. By introducing genetic testing into their prescribing pathway, doctors are supported via the tool to:
- avoid adverse drug reactions (drug:drug, drug:food, drug:gene)
- adjust dosage according to metaboliser status
- deliver personalised medication prescribing, which aims to improve health outcomes, quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.
The NHS PROGRESS programme has an informative video summarising pharmacogenetics. You can also view this article and video on pharmacogenomics from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
PGXperts chose to partner with HINWC through EIT Health’s Bridgehead Programme. Visit our international webpage for more information.
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