Pharmacogenetic testing gains momentum in Canada

Pilot projects for pharmacogenetic testing (PGt) are well underway by Canada’s largest insurers, and a publicly funded research study in Ontario, involving more than 10,000 patients, will release its results by mid-2019. While issues to do with logistics, legislation and funding still need to be addressed, the potential benefits of PGt are clearly enough to motivate these important first steps in both the private and public sectors.

In their pilot projects, insurers are mainly focused on assessing the impact of PGt in the disability space to begin with, although some are also considering its potential as an extended health benefit. All of the insurers’ pilots have also zeroed in on PGt testing for drugs used to treat depression and anxiety, with one also testing for drugs used to treat pain.

The publicly funded research study in Ontario is the first major clinical trial for PGt testing in Canada, initiated in 2011 and conducted by Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Referred to as the IMPACT study, it is also assessing the impact of PGt testing for patients requiring drugs to treat mental health conditions. The study expanded to include PGt testing for people on disability leave in August 2017, when Sun Life Financial, as part of its own pilot program initiative, joined the project.

TELUS Health has also positioned itself to be a key player in removing the logistical barriers. As a member of the multi-sectoral Digital Technology Supercluster pilot project in B.C., launched early in 2018 and funded in part by the federal government, TELUS Health will serve as the technology enabler to seamlessly connect PGt testing results with physicians, pharmacists and patients. Aggregate data analysis of the economic and health-system benefits should also help make the case for funding by both public and private payers.

While the potential for PGt testing is promising, scalability is currently a challenge due to Canada’s Genetic Non-Discrimination Act. To learn more about the legislation, as well as other important issues related to PGt testing—including physician acceptance and the potential role of pharmacists as facilitators—click below to download the full article.

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