Hype and hope for personalised medicines

A new report concludes that that the marketing of pharmacogenetic tests - matching medicines to a person's genetic make-up - may be moving faster than the underlying science. The findings, entitled 'My very own medicine: What must I know?' were published recently by the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge, UK.

The Pharmacogenetics Evaluation Policy Project was set up to 'explore the policy implications and information requirements of pharmacogenetics'. It recommends that a policy framework for the use of such tests is needed, but that it is too early to lay down detailed regulations, as the science is still unclear. It criticises the 'geno-hype' surrounding the topic, and argues that 'media excitement about genetic applications may be exaggerating investment and research activity' in the area. It warns that because of this overselling, companies may be under pressure to bring new drug combinations to the market as soon as possible, 'to the detriment of good clinical evaluation of products'. It also concludes that pharmacogenetics is 'a potentially exciting aid to accurate and efficient prescribing', but that personalised medicine still faces several hurdles.

A recent survey carried out on behalf of US biotech group Applera Corporation found that 63 per cent of people questioned would be prepared to use drugs tailored to their DNA if they became available. Of the 1,050 UK residents questioned, 91 per cent believed that their genes played a role in maintaining good health, and more than 60 per cent thought that genes determined whether medicines would be more effective in their bodies compared with other people. 'The first fruits from the sequence of the human genome are starting to be harvested' enthused David Speechly of Applera, adding 'these are exciting times for mankind'.