#229 Pharmacogenomics with Avni Santani

We have an exciting announcement, we are launching a Patreon! For those that are not familiar with Patreon, it’s a platform that allows creators (like podcasters) to offer their followers more content, experiences, and even gifts. In order to provide what YOU want, please take 60 seconds to fill out our survey. By filling out the survey not only are you influencing what benefits we will offer, but you will be the first to know when we will launch! Can’t thank you all enough for your listenership over the years, it’s such a privilege to be able to launch a Patreon to engage with you all more. 

This week we’re chatting about an emerging area of genetics, pharmacogenomics! Pharmacogenomics (PGx), one of the core elements of personalized medicine, is a field of research that studies how a person’s genes affect how they respond to medications. Its long-term goal is to help doctors select the drugs and doses best suited for each person. 

Joining us for this conversation is Avni Santani PhD, FACMG, Chief Medical Officer of Veritas Genetics, a LetsGetChecked company, which delivers tailored at-home healthcare solutions to 300+ organizations. Dr. Santani holds a Master’s degree in Medical Molecular Genetics from the University of Aberdeen and a PhD in Genetics from Texas A&M University. She holds specialty board certifications in Clinical Molecular Genetics and Clinical Cytogenetics from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

On This Episode We Discuss:

Pharmacogenomics and other similar terms

The state of genetic testing today and how it has changed in the last ten years

Why it is helpful to have pharmacogenomic testing information when figuring out the best drugs to prescribe

Steps of drug metabolism that gene variants can affect

How gene variants can impact the drug response (drug reception, uptake, and breakdown)

If testing can provide information on the dosage of drugs to prescribe and how this varies between people

Types of conditions/diseases where genetic testing results can be applied (behavioral health, cardiovascular health, and pain management) 

The role of testing in determining personal risk levels of becoming addicted to pain medications

Genes that LetsGetChecked’s myPGx test analyzes

The frequency at which gene variants found through this testing he