DoH Introduces Pharmacogenomic Reports To Enhance Personalised Treatment Options For Patients

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has introduced pharmacogenomic (PGx) reports to improve healthcare services. These reports aim to personalise treatment plans, reducing adverse drug reactions by considering individual genetic profiles. The Emirati Genome Programme's genomic database supports this initiative, enhancing community health and wellbeing.

Healthcare providers can access these PGx reports through Malaffi, the Health Information Exchange platform managed by Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS), a subsidiary of M42. This access allows for more tailored treatment options based on patient genetics, improving healthcare outcomes and service quality.

By using PGx reports, healthcare professionals can adjust therapeutic regimens based on drug interactions and pharmacokinetics—how the body processes medications—and pharmacodynamics—the effects of drugs on the body. This approach aims for optimal therapeutic results through personalised medicine.

Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Science Sector at DoH, stated: "Up to 99 percent of patients have at least one actionable gene variant that increases the risk of adverse drug reactions. Non-optimised medical prescriptions can result in the loss of precious time and resources for patients and can cause preventable adverse drug reactions which often lead to incomplete treatment adherence."

The availability of PGx reports is expected to help healthcare providers in Abu Dhabi create more efficient treatment plans. This initiative could prevent 20-30 percent of adverse drug reactions for eligible participants based on genetic factors. It marks a significant step in advancing precision medicine within DoH's strategy.

PGx reports offer crucial insights into how a patient's genetics influence their medication response. By analysing 23 pharmaco-genes affecting 128 medications, these reports assist in making informed decisions about medication choices, reducing adverse reactions, predicting drug interactions, and enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria for Testing

Currently, PGx reports are available for certain cancer, mental health, respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and infectious disease patients. Healthcare providers can request pharmacogenomic testing for eligible patients who meet specific criteria.

Eligible individuals include those over 40 years old with no clinical progress on current medication or those experiencing adverse drug reactions requiring hospitalisation. New patients prescribed specific medications covered by pharmacogenomic testing also qualify.

Younger EGP participants aged 18–39 prescribed select medications are eligible too. Additionally, patients with liver or renal impairments prescribed medications affecting liver or kidney function can undergo testing.

This initiative represents a significant milestone in Abu Dhabi's healthcare landscape by promoting precision medicine and improving patient care through personalised treatment strategies based on genetic information.

With inputs from WAM