Posted on 09/27/2007 1:57:06 AM PDT by neverdem
Seven of the largest pharmaceutical companies have formed a group to develop genetic tests to determine which patients would be at risk from dangerous drug side effects.
The new group, the International Serious Adverse Events Consortium, is one of a wave of cooperative research efforts sweeping the drug industry, as companies come under pressure to cut costs and increase their success rates in developing medications. The Food and Drug Administration has encouraged the formation of such groups.
If drugs could be withheld from patients who have a genetic risk for serious side effects, it could not only protect the patients but might help manufacturers get their drugs approved or avoid having to remove them from the market.
“We have to remove drugs that are clearly offering patients benefits because a handful are getting these severe adverse reactions,” said Duncan McHale, a researcher for Pfizer and co-chairman of the consortium’s scientific management committee.
The consortium will start by trying to find genetic predictors of two side effects — serious liver toxicity and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal blistering of the skin. Both effects are associated with numerous drugs.
Mr. McHale said the side effects were rare enough that no single company had enough cases and enough patient DNA samples to find genetic risk factors. “The way to do the best science is for all to work together to get as many cases as possible,” he said.
Arthur Holden, the chief executive of the consortium, said the companies would contribute guidance and money. The actual research will be done by contractors and academic laboratories, including one at Columbia University...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
It's not a bad starting point, but maybe it can be broadened to include more morbidity and mortality.
Likely chosen due to progress on finding genetic markers pertaining to those specific things.
I do not imagine it would take too long for them to have every citizens DNA on file, a worth goal...eh?
All technology can be used for good or bad. What else is new?
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FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
Whoops, and you’ll probably wanna see this also.
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