Genetic Testing to Predict Drug Response Scrutinized in Work Comp

An upcoming decision by a Washington state medical panel will determine whether pharmacogenetic testing, which may help predict how well a patient will respond to particular medications, will be covered for workers’ comp claimants in the monopolistic state. The Health Technology Clinical Committee plans to evaluate pharmacogenetic testing as a method to assess a patient’s responsiveness to a variety of drugs, including those used to treat anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Genetic variability leads to differences in how one patient metabolizes a drug compared to another, inf...