News Release

Genetic tests advertised directly to the consumer

American College of Clinical Pharmacology position paper in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

Peer-Reviewed Publication

SAGE

Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore and Washington DC (July 20, 2009) — Genetic testing services have recently begun to be advertised directly to the patient, and the results of the consumers' response can affect public health, as well as the future adoption of pharmacogenetic/genomic testing, according to a position paper from the American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP) to be published in the August 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. The journal is published on behalf of the ACCP by SAGE.

According to the article, "Direct-to-Consumer/Patient Advertising of Genetic Testing: A Position Statement of the American College of Clinical Pharmacology," prescription medications have been advertised in the US for 10+ years with a defined oversight of the process, however, there's no comparable supervision for advertised genetic testing. In order for the consumer to have a positive experience with choosing genetic testing from advertising, clinical pharmacologists believe that effective governmental oversight is imperative, along with assistance from professional clinicians.

Clinical pharmacologists should also help prepare consumers for possible risks of the tests and work closely with those who are considering taking further action in response to an advertisement of genetic testing, providing the following cautionary advice:

  • Verify with a professional, the information presented in advertisements of genetic testing
  • Seek advice from a genetic clinician, not just a general health care professional
  • Recognize the scientific limitations of each test, especially since the information isn't necessarily translatable when it's time to make therapeutic decisions.
  • Realize that many companies selling genetic testing services do not provide interpretation of results.

Commenting on the expanding frontiers of health professions, the authors conclude, "Clinical pharmacology will have a voice in how the evolving science translates not only into clinical trials and patient care but also into regulations involving the promotion and advertising of all genetic tests. Clinical pharmacologists can help ensure that realistic expectations of genetic tests are communicated, thereby mitigating psychological, social, and medical risks."

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"Direct-to-Consumer/Patient Advertising of Genetic Testing: A Position Statement of the American College of Clinical Pharmacology" by Barbara Ameer, PharmD, MBA, of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Norberto Krivoy, MD, of the Center for Translational Genetics, B. Rappaport Institute for Research in Medical Sciences, and Clinical Pharmacology Institute, Rambam Health Care Campus and Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, is being made available free of charge for a limited time at http://jcp.sagepub.com/cgi/content/full/49/8/886.

The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology provides clinical pharmacologists, clinical and pharmaceutical researchers, drug development specialists, physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals the latest pertinent clinical information about the safety, tolerability, efficacy, therapeutic applications, toxicology, and total evaluation of new and established drugs for humans. The journal publishes original research, special reviews, commentaries, and case reports on all phases of drug development from absorption, disposition, metabolism, excretion interactions, and preferred uses through post-marketing evaluations. http://jcp.sagepub.com

The American College of Clinical Pharmacology is an organization dedicated to the advancement of the science of clinical pharmacology in all its phases. The College remains an advocate for all professionals engaged in the discipline. Through its publications and educational endeavors, the College serves as an educational resource on new drug developments and other advances in the discipline. Membership in the College offers an opportunity to participate in College activities at the national, regional, and local level and as such, assists in directing the growth of the College and the discipline of clinical pharmacology. www.accp1.org

SAGE is a leading international publisher of journals, books, and electronic media for academic, educational, and professional markets. Since 1965, SAGE has helped inform and educate a global community of scholars, practitioners, researchers, and students spanning a wide range of subject areas including business, humanities, social sciences, and science, technology and medicine. An independent company, SAGE has principal offices in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore and Washington DC. www.sagepublications.com


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