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U.S. Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-Livermore) and Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) introduced a bill last month that aims to address drug-gene interactions and ensure Americans have better access to treatment that is personalized to their specific needs.
Labeled as the Right Drug Dose Now Act, the legislation proposes to use evidence-based pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing to “prevent adverse drug events and help ensure that patients receive medications tailored to their genetic makeup.”
Adverse drug events, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is when someone is harmed by a specific medicine.
“Adverse drug events are the fourth leading cause of death in this country,” Swalwell said in a March 29 press release. “By factoring genetic testing results into medical prescription decisions, we can have the knowledge to better treat a range of conditions while reducing adverse drug events. PGx will help medical professionals and patients be well informed to decide effective treatments for each clinical case.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, pharmacogenomic testing analyzes genes for specific DNA sequences that affect the function of proteins which are responsible for drug metabolism. It looks at how genes affect the body’s response to certain medicines which, according to the proposed bill, is critical in understanding how safe and effective certain drugs can be for different people.
“In the realm of healthcare, precision is paramount,” Celeste Miranda, President of the American Pharmacogenomics Association, said in the press release. “Pharmacogenomics can ensure that each patient receives the right medication, at the right dose, right from the start, mitigating the risk of adverse drug reactions and enhancing patient care. The Right Drug Dose Now Act is not just a legislative milestone; it’s a beacon of hope for millions seeking safer, more effective healthcare solutions.”
The legislation calls for the use of evidence-based pharmacogenomic testing to prevent those adverse drug events by ensuring patients receive medication that is tailored to their specific genetic makeup.
“More personalized care means better health outcomes for patients,” Crenshaw said in the press release. “This bill will ensure drugs are tailored to each person’s unique needs, it will save on health care costs and improve lives.”
The Right Drug Dose Now Act also proposes to update the National Action Plan — which acts as a framework for government and non-government entities to collaborate on addressing national health issues — to help prevent adverse drug events by “integrating advancements in pharmacogenomic research and testing.”
The bill suggests enhancing Electronic Health Records with pharmacogenomic information, which will reduce adverse drug events, improve patient care and pave the way for personalized medicine, according to the press release.
“We applaud Reps. Swalwell and Crenshaw for introducing the Right Drug Dose Now Act,” said Edward Abrahams, president of the Personalized Medicine Coalition, in the press release. “By streamlining activities across multiple federal agencies and health care delivery, this bill would spark more widespread utilization of genetically informed prescribing practices that keep American patients out of the hospital.”
