The importance of pharmacogenetics in your group insurance plan

This article was written in consultation with Nathalie Rivest, BPharm, MSc, Product Director, Drug Insurance with Desjardins Insurance.

At first, pharmacogenetics might seem a little murky, but basically, it boils down to the study of how genetic variations (or mutations) can affect a drug’s efficacy. The impacts can be good or bad and can even affect the dosage required².

We’ve all got an idea about what genetics is. For example, a long-lost uncle might see you and say, “You’re the spitting image of your mom!” Well, that’s genetics for you. Or a doctor might ask about your family history of a given disease. What you tell them might help them put their finger on the right illness, based on your genetic predisposition to it. If the drug you’re taking to treat your symptoms isn’t working, or is causing unpleasant side effects, they’ll change the dosage or try another drug and wait and see what happens. 

They might also take a shortcut and recommend pharmacogenetic testing to try and identify the drug that would work best. This approach is often referred to as personalized medicine.

When a colleague is off work for an indefinite period, it affects the workload of everyone around them. The impacts are real: uncertainty, increased workload, sidelined projects, generalized stress. Disability management specialists do everything they can to help employees recover and get back to work under the best possible conditions. If it makes sense, they may suggest pharmacogenetic testing—an accessible, non-intrusive solution.

Pharmacogenetic tests study the genes of the patient that could influence their response to a drug. This can help identify whether the available drugs are compatible with the sick person.

It all depends on genetic matching! Basically, you read the DNA sequencing of saliva cells, measuring hundreds of small variations in different areas of the molecule³. This information is used to search for compatible drugs so the most compatible (or the least incompatible) drug can be prescribed. 

Since the results are based on available DNA data, the more tests that are done, the bigger the pool of gene sequences available for comparison. Your DNA is being compared to that of total strangers, but strangers whose genetic profile is similar to yours, who have taken the same drugs to treat the same symptoms, and who reacted in a particular way to the treatment. 

This type of testing is increasingly used to treat numerous physical and mental health issues when the first prescribed drug isn’t the most effective, often because of a genetic incompatibility. The trial-and-error period can really take a toll on the patient. The side effects, the lack of improvement, the need to keep trying out new drugs… all of this can undermine their already fragile morale. Having access to more effective treatments from day one limits the unpleasantness of the trial-and-error period and can even speed up the recovery period, both of which can help the employee, their teammates and the employer. 

Mental health disorders account for nearly 30% of short- and long-term disability claims across the country. They’re also one of the three main reasons for claims, according to 80% of employers in all activity sectors⁴.

The most common tests can be used to help people with:

• Depression
• Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic pain

Sources

1 C. Masse and P. Vandel, Contribution of pharmacogenetics External link. This link will open in a new window., 2016.

2 Simon De Denus, Pharmacist and Researcher at the Université de Montréal, specialized in pharmacogenetics.

3 Simon Gravel, Assistant Professor of Human Genetics, McGill University.

4 Mental Health Commission of Canada, Making the Case for Investing in Mental Health in Canada External link. This link will open in a new window..