June 05, 2015
Vancouver, BC – A new research project led by Dr. Martin Dawes at the University of British Columbia (UBC) will apply a genomic approach to screen for 33 markers in five genes of a patient’s DNA that are linked to potentially clinically actionable gene-drug associations. Called The Implementation of Pharmacogenomics in Primary Care in British Columbia, this novel project is valued at over $720,000, and is being funded through Genome BC’s User Partnership Program, Rx&D’s Health Research Foundation and other partners. The project will also link in with TELUS Health, the largest electronic medical record (EMR) vendor in Canada
The project has two components: firstly, the development of a suite of genotype-based medication logic trees that provide options for drug therapy for ten common conditions including depression, hypertension, high cholesterol, gout and asthma; and, secondly, to conduct a pilot project with five Family Physicians’ offices, one pharmacist and 250 patients to determine the feasibility and usability of a saliva sample collection, a genetic test, and the medication decision support tool.
Over 200,000 severe adverse drug events, costing upwards of $14 billion, place a significant burden on the Canadian healthcare system annually. Family Physicians deliver roughly 85% of healthcare, and issue the majority of prescriptions. These prescriptions are intended to help their patients but currently prescribers are, in some instances, unable to predict whether an individual patient will benefit as intended from the drug therapy, or if they may suffer potentially serious, unexpected adverse drug events.
The practices of Family Physicians could benefit from the development of a decision support tool using the information in existing EMRs, a tool that uses a patient’s genetic differences to avoid a potential adverse drug responses.
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“Genomics applications to personal healthcare is a new tool for clinicians and patients,” says Dr. Martin Dawes, Head, Department of Family Practice at UBC. “Our group is helping translate this technology to improve health care by offering genetic evidence that provides information for physicians about what drugs are safe and effective for patients”.
“TELUS Health shares the vision of Genome BC, Rx&D, the Personalized Medicine Initiative and others who are investing in solutions to improve healthcare outcomes, improve patient experience and reduce healthcare costs through the use of technology. This partnership brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of measuring health outcomes and the material difference health IT can make for patients by making information available at the point of care,” adds Paul Lepage, President, TELUS Health.
“With the ongoing cost pressures on the health care system, funding efficiencies and savings while improving patient outcomes is paramount,” says Dr. Alan Winter, President and CEO of Genome BC. “If we can avoid even a percentage of adverse drug events and subsequent hospitalizations, then this work is a success.”
“The Rx&D Health Research Foundation is proud to support projects that contribute directly to the quality of life that Canadians enjoy and cherish,” says Mel Cappe, Chair of the Rx&D Health Research Foundation. “The Personalized Medicine Initiative is a great example of research being done in Canada that will contribute to better health solutions for Canadians.”
