Measuring the value of pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics offer the potential of developing DNA-based tests to help maximize drug efficacy and enhance drug safety. Major scientific advances in this field have brought us to the point where such tests are poised to enter more widespread clinical use. However, many questions have been raised about whether such tests will be of significant value, and how to assess this. Here, we review the application of economics-based resource-allocation frameworks to assess the value of pharmacogenomics, and the findings so far. We then develop a resource-allocation framework for assessing the potential value of pharmacogenomic testing from a population perspective, and apply this framework to the example of testing for variant alleles of CYP2D6, an important drug-metabolizing enzyme. This review provides a framework for analysing the value of pharmacogenomic interventions, and suggests where further research and development could be most beneficial.