HTA Details
Emerging Pharmacogenomic Tests
- Publication date
-
2011-June-01
- Status
- Final
- Topic Area
- Genetics
- Recommendation
-
Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee Recommendations
- Based on expert opinion, the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee determined that pharmacogenomic tests for certain drugs will present a real pressure to the health care system in the next 12 months.
- Therefore, the committee urges that provincial capacity to conduct evidence-based analyses be identified and secured as soon as possible.
- Ministry Response
-
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has accepted this recommendation.
-
To read the full OHTAC Recommendation Report for this topic, contact our Health Innovation team using the contact form to request a digital copy.
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genes affect a person’s response to drugs. Advances in the understanding of common genetic variations have made it possible for doctors to begin to use information about a person’s genetic makeup to help choose drugs and drug doses that are likely to work best for that person.
This is a new science and so far only a small number of drugs, mostly for cancer treatment, have been identified to be used in this way. But the field is growing quickly and many more drugs are being tested for their pharmacogenomic properties.
In 2011, the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee gathered information about emerging pharmacogenomics testing. Of the many drugs being tested, the Committee came up with a list of those that should be given priority in Ontario for upcoming health technology assessment.
Supporting Documents
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
