Healthcare has long operated in a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Part of this evolution was the introduction of evidence-based medicine (EBM). Now, don’t get me wrong. EBM was a crucial advancement to apply scientific methods to healthcare. It has taught us which interventions work and identified serious, rare risks we wouldn’t have identified otherwise. EBM has saved lives!
However, with the widespread implementation of EBM and structured clinical guidelines, as a healthcare provider, we see that treatment plans and prescriptions are often doled out to people based on population averages in research studies, rather than tailored to the unique needs of the individual.
We are often too busy looking at the evidence to look at the patient in front of us.
Today, innovation in healthcare and technology is booming. At the same time, I see a desire from people to become more empowered in their healthcare. Long gone are the days when healthcare happens “to you”. We are now shifting to healthcare happening “with you”.
We’re standing on the brink of a healthcare revolution—one that prioritizes your individuality, your genetics, and your personal health goals.
Welcome to the era of personalized medicine.
How can we Personalize medicine?
At its core, personalized medicine is about tailoring healthcare to the individual. It considers your unique genetic makeup (your DNA), environment, and lifestyle to guide decisions about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Instead of guessing which medication might work for you, personalized medicine leverages cutting-edge tools, like pharmacogenomics (PGx), to make precise, evidence-based decisions.
Pharmacogenomics (PGx), in particular, is transforming the way we prescribe medications.It involves a simple DNA test to predict how your body will respond to specific drugs. This ensures that you’re prescribed treatments that are most likely to work for you, with the least risk of side effects.
In fact, we know pretty much everyone (99% of people) has at least one genetic variation that can impact their response to medications.(1) These variations can influence how quickly your body processes a drug, whether a drug is effective, and you’re at risk for side effects or harms from certain medicines.
Why Does This Matter?
Traditional medicine often involves trial and error—especially when it comes to medications for conditions like depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. This can be frustrating, and lead to unnecessary side effects and wasted time.
Using pharmacogenetic testing in the treatment of mental health has shown to improve medication effectiveness and reduce time to symptom improvement by 1.7 times compared to standard care.(2)
Personalized medicine reduces the guesswork. By using pharmacogenomic testing, along with understanding your health history and personal goals, we can help ensure we choose the most effective therapies for you and avoid medications that could cause harmful side effects.
The Shift Toward Proactive Health
Personalized medicine is a preventive and proactive approach to your health. The ideal time to do a PGx test is before you need medications!
Adverse drug reactions are basically harm caused as the result of a medication prescribed that was intended to help, at a normal dosage.
It might surprise you to know that adverse drug reactions in Canada cause 10,000 to 22,000 deaths and costs the Canadian healthcare system over $13 billion per year. (3)
Studies have shown that PGx testing improves outcomes by reducing adverse drug reactions, hospitalizations, and treatment failures. One review found that using care guided by pharmacogenetic testing can reduce adverse drug reactions by up to 30%. (4)
If your pharmacogenetic test reveals you’re at higher risk of adverse effects from a certain medication, your healthcare team can choose an alternative medication, use a lower dose, or avoid it all together.
This approach is a stark contrast to the traditional "reactive" model of medicine, where we learn to avoid the medicine only after you’ve had an adverse reaction to a drug.
Essentially, by understanding your genetic predispositions, we can proactively address potential health risks before they become problems.
Why Personalized Medicine Isn’t Mainstream (Yet)
Despite its clear benefits, personalized medicine isn’t yet the standard of care. Barriers include:
Awareness: Many patients—and even healthcare providers—are unaware of the availability and potential of pharmacogenomic testing.
Training: Healthcare providers often lack the education to integrate genetic insights into their practice.
Access: While the cost of this DNA testing has decreased significantly, it’s still not covered by all insurance plans. (But more private insurance companies are starting to cover pharmacogenomic testing. Be sure to check yours!)
However, the tide is turning. Research is mounting to demonstrate how pharmacogenetic testing improves health outcomes and saves the health system money. More providers are recognizing its value, and patients are advocating for better, individualized care.
How Your Simple Health is Leading the Way
Here at Your Simple Health, we believe in the power of personalized medicine to transform lives. Through services like PGx testing and medication optimization, we help our clients take control of their health journey.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Evidence-Based Tools: We use pharmacogenomic testing to personalize treatment plans, ensuring you receive the safest, most effective care.
Patient-Centered Approach: Your goals and values guide every decision we make together.
Holistic Care: Personalized medicine isn’t just about prescriptions. We integrate lifestyle, nutrition, and other strategies to support your overall well-being.
The Future of Healthcare is Here
Personalized medicine is not a trend—it’s the future. As awareness grows and access expands, more patients will experience the benefits of individualized care.
Imagine a healthcare system that sees you as a unique individual, not just a diagnosis.
Imagine treatments tailored to your body, minimizing side effects and maximizing benefits.
This is what we’re working toward at Your Simple Health.
Are you ready to embrace the future of healthcare? Let’s start your personalized health journey today. Book a complimentary discovery call to see if pharmacogenomic testing is right for you.
References
Bielinski SJ, et al. The Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Time: Using Genomic Data to Individualize Treatment Protocol (RIGHT Protocol). Int J Epidemiol. 2020 Feb 1;49(1):23-24k. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyz123
Bousman, C. A.,et al. Pharmacogenetic Tests and Depressive Symptom Remission: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Pharmacogenomics. 2018; 20(1), 37–47. https://doi.org/10.2217/pgs-2018-0142
Adverse Drug Reaction Canada. What are Adverse Drug Reactions and how can they be prevented? https://adrcanada.org/2021/07/09/featured-content/
Swen J, et al. A 12-gene pharmacogenetic panel to prevent adverse drug reactions: an open-label, multicentre, controlled, cluster-randomised crossover implementation study. The Lancet. 2023; 401(10374), 347 - 356. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01841-4
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