Medication Check
powered by Bupa My Genomic Health
Unlock your body’s personalised medicine response for safer, more effective treatment. No insurance needed.
Tests cost £225.
How your DNA affects your response to medicine
Your DNA holds information about how you might respond to certain medicines.
This can impact how well some medicines work for you and your risk of side effects. As everyone’s genetic makeup is unique, some medicines may be safer or more effective for you than for others.
The power of personalised health
A Medication Check uses DNA testing to identify genetic differences that affect your response to over 100 wide ranging medicines.
This helps you and your healthcare professional to find precise medicines and treatments that are both effective and appropriate for you.
Understanding the Medication Check
Dr Rebecca Rohrer explains more about the Medication Check, including what the test is, how it can help you and what you should expect when you take the Medication Check.
Transcript
Who are you?
Hey, I'm Dr.
Rebecca r. I'm the Clinical Innovation
and Genomics Director at Bupa.
I'm a working gp, a mom of triplet boys,
and also a survivor of young onset breast cancer.
That gives me a unique perspective on genomics
and its power to allow us to shift from reactive
to proactive and personalised healthcare
and its role in transforming the experience
of our customers.
What is your background?
I'm the Clinical Innovation and genomics Director at Bupa.
I'm also a working gp.
Previously, I've worked in our insurance business
as a medical director,
and over my career I've developed a real passion
for taking innovative solutions from the bench
to the bedside, all focused on improving the experience
of our customers.
What is Pharmacogenomics?
Pharmacogenomics, sometimes called PGX
for short is the study of
how your genetic makeup can affect your response
to medicine, and it's one of the branches
of personalised medicine.
A PGX uses information about your genes
to determine the medicine
and the dosage of that medicine that's most likely to work
for you.
What are the benefits of having a Medication Check test?
By understanding your own personal genetic profile,
the medication check can help tailor treatment more
specifically suited to the individual.
Now, this means it can predict what medicines are likely
to be effective, which ones might have side effects,
and what dosages are going to work best for you.
How many medicines are looked into with the test?
There are over a hundred medicines that are tested now.
These medicines are used
to treat health conditions like diabetes, cancer,
cardiovascular disease, mental health,
neurological conditions, and many more.
You can find the full list on our website.
Are Medication Check results the same as allergies to medicines?
No is the short answer.
Pharmacogenomic results aren't the same
as allergy tests for medicines.
Allergies are caused by the immune system overreacting
to a medicine because it mistakenly
identifies the medicine as harmful.
Now, this overreaction can cause symptoms like rashes,
swelling, or even anaphylaxis.
These responses are driven by the immune system,
not the medicine itself.
Your immune system can change over time depending on
environmental exposures,
so you might develop an allergy later in life,
even if you've taken the medicine before without problems.
Pharmacogenomics, on the other hand,
looks at the genes you are born with and these don't change.
These genes affect how your body process medicines such as
how it activates or breaks them down,
and this can influence how well a medicine works for you
or whether it causes side effects.
For example, if it builds up in your blood
because your body can't break it down efficiently,
pharmacogenomics could
therefore help choose the right dose for you.
How does the Medication Check DNA test help reduce side effects?
The medication check, DNA tests pinpoint
specific genetic variants that influence
how your body processes medicines.
For example, certain genes can indicate whether you
process a medicine too quickly
or too slowly that can lead to ineffective treatment
or an increased risk of side effects.
By understanding your genetic makeup,
healthcare providers can select medicines
and the doses of those medicines that's more likely
to be effective and have fewer side effects for you.
This personalised approach reduces the trial
and error process often associated
with finding the right medicine.
It can also help
to determine the optimal dose of a medicine for you.
For example, if your body processes the medicine too fast,
it doesn't stay in the body long enough to be effective,
so you are not actually getting any treatment from it.
In such cases, a higher dose
or a different medicine altogether might be recommended
for you.
What happens if my genetic profile suggests my current medicine isn't suitable?
If your test indicates
that your current medicine isn't suitable based on your
genetic profile, please don't stop any of your medicines
and discuss those options in your appointment with our gp.
What is involved with the Medication Check test?
The test requires you to provide a DNA sample
through a really simple saliva sample collected into a tube.
We'll then post your saliva sample
to our partner laboratory using the prepaid
packaging included in your kit.
We'll then email you in the results,
and once received, you'll have the option to speak to one
of our GPS in a virtual appointment if you have any
questions.
Do I need to prepare for the Medication Check test?
It's important not to eat, drink, smoke, vape,
or brush your teeth or chew gum for 30 minutes
before you do the test.
And that's because it can contaminate the saliva sample
that we use.
Do I need to stop taking medicine before taking the test?
No, it's really important
that you carry on taking your current medication
as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Your current medicines won't influence the test results.
How long does it take to receive my results and how do I get them?
It will take up to four weeks
from the laboratory receiving your sample for you
to receive your results by email.
Your results will be emailed to you at the address that you
provided when you purchased the kit.
Can the test results change over time?
Because your genetic makeup doesn't change over time,
the results of a pharmacogenomic test remain
valid throughout your life.
However, as scientific research advances
and we discover new important variants, the interpretation
of these results might evolve,
and that could potentially lead to new insights
and recommendations.
Therefore, you may wish to periodically review the results
with your healthcare provider in the future to make sure
that the results reflect the latest scientific findings
and clinical guidelines.
Can I have a Medication Check test if I am pregnant?
Yes, this can be safely conducted during pregnancy.
However, the advice
regarding medicine use in pregnancy remains unchanged.
Always exercise caution
and follow established medical guidance.
While your test results may offer insights into
how your body processes certain medicines,
they don't override the need for careful consideration
and for consultation with your healthcare provider when
using any medicines during pregnancy.
How do I book my GP appointment?
When we email your report, this includes a link for you
to book an appointment with a GP
to speak about your results.
What happens to my DNA sample after testing?
If your saliva sample will be safely destroyed
after testing takes place and
after you receive a report with your personalised results.
Where is my data stored?
Your data will be stored and processed by Bupa
and its data processes in the UK and Europe.
Now, bupa's committed to ensuring that as a customer,
your privacy is protected
and that you can trust us
with your most sensitive personal data.
For more information, please see our privacy notice below.
Will my health insurer get access to my results?
No, we won't share the results of your tests
with UK insurers, including if you have any ER policies.
However, you must know that when you use a medication check,
if you live or plan to live outside the uk,
local laws may require you to disclose the results
of any genetic testing that you've had with your insurer.
Do I have to share my results with my NHS GP or healthcare provider?
Of course, the choice is yours.
We would suggest that you share your results with your GP
or your prescribing healthcare professional.
Even if you're not currently taking medicines today,
where there are suggestions of potential severe, moderate,
or mild results are highlighted in your report,
then we'd recommend that you keep them for future reference
so that you confer back
to them when any new medicines are prescribed.
Who do I contact if I have any other questions?
Please email our admin team using medication
[email protected] and they'll be able to help you.
Can anyone take/buy the test?
To take the medication check you need to be over 18
and a UK resident.
It's also really important
that the medication check won't be suitable for you
if you've ever had a kidney or a liver transplant.
Also, if you've ever had a stem cell
or a bone marrow transplant.
And finally, if you've had a blood transfusion within the
last four weeks, that's because when you've had a transplant
or a blood transfusion,
the donor's DNA can mix with your own.
And this mixture can lead to inaccurate test results,
meaning that the test might detect the donor's
DNA instead of yours.
And this confusion can affect the interpretation of
how your body responds to certain medications.
Is there anything that Medication Check can't do or should not be used for?
The tests can only advise on medicines
for which we've got a really strong
scientific evidence base.
Currently, we've got a list of over a hundred medicines,
but it can't inform us about other medicines
for which this evidence base doesn't exist.
Also, really importantly,
these tests can't be used in isolation.
They were useful guide
and they can help provide an important piece of
that bigger puzzle in determining
which medicines are right for you.
But medicine choices need to be made
with a healthcare professional
because they can take into account
that wider clinical picture.
For example, interactions
with other medicines you are taking, how your kidney
and liver works, local guidelines,
and most importantly, your personal choice.
Do I have to have private medical insurance in place to be eligible for the test?
No, you don't need to be an insurance customer to buy
and use our medication check product.
You can buy it directly from our website
and share the results with your preferred GP
or health professional.
The report is sent directly to you, so it's up to you
who you choose to share it with.
How the Medication Check test works
Step 1 - Receive your DNA test kit
Containing a funnel, a sample tube, returns label and instructions.
Step 2 - Provide a sample
Provide a saliva sample and send it back to us.
Step 3 - DNA test
We analyse your DNA and check how medicine affects you. This can take up to 4 weeks.
Step 4 - Receive your report
Your report will be sent by email. It includes a summary of our findings, and details of your next steps.
Step 5 - Virtual GP appointment
If there’s anything in your results you want to discuss, you can speak to one of our GPs for 30 minutes, at no extra cost.
What medicines are tested?
Mental health medicines
Cancer medicines
Pain relief medicines
Medicines for the heart
Cholesterol medicines
Medicines for diabetes
The Medication Check also tests for your response to medicines used for:
- The nervous system
- Infections
- Bones and joints
- Neurodiversity
- The immune system
- The chest
- The digestive system
For a full list of medicines we check for and what they manage, see our FAQs.
Is this test right for you?
Eligibility
To order a Medication Check DNA test for personal use you must be aged 18 years or older and be a UK resident.
You do not need to have Bupa health insurance to order a Medication Check DNA test.
Pricing
The Medication Check DNA test costs £225, this includes your DNA testing kit, postage, and your report.
It also includes a 30 minute virtual GP appointment, if required, once you receive your results.
Exclusions
Unfortunately, a Medication Check DNA test isn't suitable if:
- You’ve had a liver or kidney transplant
- You’ve had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant
- You’ve received a blood transfusion in the last four weeks.
If you've had a transplant or blood transfusion, the donor's DNA can mix with your own.
This mixture can lead to inaccurate test results because the test might detect the donor's DNA instead of yours.
This confusion can affect the interpretation of how your body responds to certain medicines.
Individuals who have had a blood transfusion within the past four weeks should refrain from taking the test.
It’s advisable to wait until all genetic material from the donor has been fully cleared from the recipient, a process estimated to be completed by the fourth week post-transfusion.
What is genomic testing?
Find out more about how genomic testing can help you to live a healthier, happier life
What is genomics?
Genomics can be a powerful tool to detect risk of disease. This can help you manage and take action to improve your health.
What is pharmacogenomics?
Pharmacogenomics looks at how your body responds to certain medication types, and can help you get better treatment.
By understanding your genetic profile, DNA testing can help predict which medicines are likely to be effective, which ones might cause side effects, and what dosages are appropriate for you.
DNA testing pinpoints specific genetic variants that influence how your body processes medicines. For example, certain genes can indicate whether you metabolise a drug too quickly or too slowly, which can lead to ineffective treatment or increased risk of side effects. Metabolise refers to the process by which your body breaks down and converts medication into active chemical substances.
By understanding your genetic makeup, healthcare providers can select medicines that are more likely to be effective and have fewer side effects for you. This personalised approach reduces the trial-and-error process often associated with finding the right medication. It can also help to determine the optimal dosage of a medicine for you. For instance, if you have a genetic variant that causes you to metabolise a drug slowly, your doctor might prescribe a lower dose to avoid side effects.
If your test indicates that your current medicine isn't suitable, or is less suitable, based on your genetic profile, you can discuss this in your appointment with our GP. They'll be able to help you on next steps which might include your healthcare provider reviewing your report, identifying alternative medicine or adjusting the dosage of your current medicine.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, vape, brush your teeth or chew gum for 30 minutes before taking the test.
No, carry on taking your current medicine as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Any medicines you’re taking will not influence the test results.
Your saliva sample will be destroyed after testing takes place and you receive a report with your personalised results.
Because your genetic makeup doesn't change over time, the results of a pharmacogenomic test remain valid throughout your life.
However, as scientific research advances, the interpretation of these results may evolve, potentially leading to new insights and recommendations. Therefore, you may wish to periodically review the results with your healthcare provider in the future to make sure the results reflect the latest scientific findings and clinical guidelines.
Your data will be stored and processed by Bupa and its data processors in the UK and Europe.
Bupa is committed to ensuring that as a customer your privacy is protected and that you can trust us with your most sensitive personal data. Please see our Privacy Notice for more information about how we collect, use and protect your data.
Read the Medication Check terms and conditions and download a full list of the Medication Checks FAQs, including the full list of medications that are tested.
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