Clinical Pharmacologists Warn of DTC Genomics Backlash on PGx

The American College of Clinical Pharmacy has called for federal oversight of direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies, which it believes could inadvertently hold back advances in clinical pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic testing.

In a position statement published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, ACCP argued that consumer response to genetic testing advertising could have "both immediate and long-term effects on public health and the future adoption of pharmacogenetic/genomic testing."

The paper explains that consumers could be let down or confused by the performance of DTC genetic tests, which could have a negative impact on other genetic testing firms that do not market directly to consumers.

The ACCP likened consumer ads for genetic tests to those for prescription drugs, which are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration's Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications. The group noted that a similar oversight system is not yet in place for the young genetic testing field.

"Given the rate of development of genetic testing and its widespread availability and accessibility by the public, the establishment of effective governmental oversight needs to be undertaken...