Rates of genetic testing in patients prescribed drugs with pharmacogenomic information in FDA-approved labeling

Authors

John Young, University of Mississippi
Kaustuv Bhattacharya, University of Mississippi
Sujith Ramachandran, University of Mississippi
Aaron Lee, University of Mississippi
John P. Bentley, University of Mississippi

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2021

Abstract

This study examined rates of genetic testing in two cohorts of publicly insured individuals who have newly prescribed medication with FDA pharmacogenomic labeling guidance. Genetic testing was rare (4.4% and 10.5% in Medicaid and Medicare cohorts, respectively) despite the fact that all participants selected were taking medications that contained pharmacogenomic labeling information. When testing was conducted it was typically done before the initial use of a target medication. Factors that emerged as predictors of the likelihood of undergoing genetic testing included White ethnicity (vs. Black), female gender, and age. Cost analyses indicated higher expenditures in groups receiving genetic testing vs. matched comparators with no genetic testing, as well as disparities between proactively and reactively tested groups (albeit in opposite directions across cohorts). Results are discussed in terms of the possible reasons for the low base rate of testing, mechanisms of increased cost, and barriers to dissemination and implementation of these tests.

Relational Format

journal article

Recommended Citation

Young, J., Bhattacharya, K., Ramachandran, S., Lee, A., & Bentley, J. P. (2021). Rates of genetic testing in patients prescribed drugs with pharmacogenomic information in FDA-approved labeling. The Pharmacogenomics Journal, 21(3), 318–325. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41397-021-00211-1

DOI

10.1038/s41397-021-00211-1

Accessibility Status

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