In a groundbreaking move, a Hyderabad-based hospital has launched a genetic testing service designed to help doctors determine which medicines are most effective for individual patients.
This cutting-edge innovation brings pharmacogenomics — the science of how genes affect a person’s response to drugs — into the mainstream of Indian healthcare.

The test aims to revolutionize how treatments are prescribed, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach and toward personalized medicine.

🔬 What Is the Genetic Test About?

The newly launched genetic test involves collecting a simple saliva or blood sample from the patient. The hospital’s laboratory then analyzes specific genetic markers that influence how the body metabolizes and responds to various drugs.

These markers help predict:

Whether a medicine will be effective for a patient

The risk of side effects or adverse reactions

The optimal dosage needed for safe and effective treatment

By understanding a person’s unique genetic profile, doctors can tailor treatments for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, depression, cancer, and heart disease.

⚕️ Why Is This Test Important?

Every individual’s body reacts differently to medication. What works well for one person may cause severe side effects in another.
According to global studies, nearly 30–40% of patients do not respond to their first prescribed medicine — often because of genetic differences.

This new test addresses that challenge directly.
By using genetic data, doctors can:

Avoid “trial-and-error” prescribing

Reduce the risk of drug toxicity

Improve treatment outcomes

Save time and healthcare costs

🧠 The Science Behind It: Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomics combines pharmacology (study of drugs) and genomics (study of genes) to understand how genetic variations affect drug response.

For example:

Some genes control how quickly the liver breaks down medicines.

Variants in these genes can make a drug less effective or too strong, depending on metabolism speed.

Identifying these variants helps physicians choose the right drug at the right dose.

In India, where genetic diversity is vast, pharmacogenomics can play a crucial role in creating more precise, safe, and cost-effective healthcare.

🧍‍♂️ What the Hospital Says

According to hospital officials, the test is designed to empower both doctors and patients.
It provides a scientific roadmap for prescribing medicines that align with an individual’s genetic structure.

They claim that this approach could minimize adverse drug reactions (ADRs) — one of the leading causes of hospitalization and treatment failure.

The hospital also plans to integrate this genetic data into electronic health records (EHRs), enabling physicians to access a patient’s pharmacogenomic profile whenever new medications are prescribed.

🌍 The Global and Indian Context

Globally, pharmacogenomics is already being used in advanced healthcare systems in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
However, in India, the concept is still emerging — mainly due to lack of awareness, high costs, and limited access to genetic testing facilities.

Hyderabad’s initiative could serve as a pioneering step in making this technology more accessible to the general public.
It also aligns with the Government of India’s push for precision medicine and digital health.

💡 The Road Ahead

Experts believe that the adoption of genetic testing in regular clinical practice could transform the healthcare landscape in India.

For widespread implementation, three key steps are needed:

Cost reduction – Making tests affordable for common citizens.

Awareness campaigns – Educating doctors and patients about its benefits.

Policy support – Establishing ethical and data privacy frameworks for genetic information.

If successful, such personalized approaches could lead to fewer medication failures, improved outcomes, and safer treatments for millions.