As some of you may or may not know, I work in the healthcare industry, specifically for a software company that deals in various kinds of healthcare-related applications.
A hot topic in the industry right now is pharmacogenomic testing. These are tests that are used to predict how patients will react to certain drugs. People with a given gene may react badly to a particular drug, or may require a lower initial dose, or may be better suited to use a different drug entirely.
Both CVS and Walgreens were planning to stock these tests, until the FDA stepped in and started asking questions at Pathway Genomics, who manufactures the tests. There are concerns over safety and accuracy. Both retailers have shelved their plans for the time being, pending the results of the FDA investigation.
Meanwhile, there is Medco, which is a massive pharmacy benefit management firm. Their intentions are to go full-bore into this kind of testing, and even advise insurance companies on what tests to require, which ones to cover, etc. However, they may have a conflict of interest because they fill an immense number of prescriptions--it might be in their favor to push tests that lead patients to more expensive drugs, which further lines Medco's pockets.
There's also the question of reliability. Having a gene doesn't necessarily mean anything. It's all a game of probabilities. You may have a gene and not express it at all. So, by that token, to what extent should your treatment be determined by the results of genetic tests?
How do you guys feel about all this?
A hot topic in the industry right now is pharmacogenomic testing. These are tests that are used to predict how patients will react to certain drugs. People with a given gene may react badly to a particular drug, or may require a lower initial dose, or may be better suited to use a different drug entirely.
Both CVS and Walgreens were planning to stock these tests, until the FDA stepped in and started asking questions at Pathway Genomics, who manufactures the tests. There are concerns over safety and accuracy. Both retailers have shelved their plans for the time being, pending the results of the FDA investigation.
Meanwhile, there is Medco, which is a massive pharmacy benefit management firm. Their intentions are to go full-bore into this kind of testing, and even advise insurance companies on what tests to require, which ones to cover, etc. However, they may have a conflict of interest because they fill an immense number of prescriptions--it might be in their favor to push tests that lead patients to more expensive drugs, which further lines Medco's pockets.
There's also the question of reliability. Having a gene doesn't necessarily mean anything. It's all a game of probabilities. You may have a gene and not express it at all. So, by that token, to what extent should your treatment be determined by the results of genetic tests?
How do you guys feel about all this?
