In the past few years there has been increasing interest in PGx profiling. This is where a pre-emptive test is done to analyse an individual person’s DNA to determine the likely response to drugs. A swab of cells from inside the cheek is the common tissue sample method.

In some countries, such as the USA, Canada and Australia, PGx profiling has become commonplace and screening kits can be purchased in a pharmacy, rather like DNA profile kits to determine people’s ancestry. Some tests are sold online for patients to use at home. A number of DNA tests sold in the UK now also give information on drug response.

Considerable research is still required to understand the utility of using these approaches. Until the results of this research become known, this practice is unlikely to become commonplace in the NHS.