Preferences for pharmacogenomic testing in polypharmacy patients: a discrete choice experiment

Area of Science:

• Pharmacogenomics
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Patient Preferences

Background:

• Polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medications, is common in older adults and increases the risk of adverse drug events.
• Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing can personalize medication selection and dosing, potentially mitigating risks associated with polypharmacy.
• Understanding patient preferences is crucial for the successful implementation of PGx testing in clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the preferences of polypharmacy patients regarding pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing.
• To identify key factors influencing patient willingness to undergo PGx testing.

Main Methods:

• A discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey was conducted with 128 adult polypharmacy patients at a retail pharmacy.
• Participants evaluated hypothetical PGx testing scenarios with varying attributes like cost, confidentiality, and test certainty.

Main Results:

• Polypharmacy patients significantly preferred PGx tests that were lower in cost, offered better confidentiality, and provided higher certainty in identifying optimal medication/dose.
• Patients also favored tests that could empower them to advocate for their treatment needs (p < 0.01).
• Test cost was the most influential factor in patient preferences.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to elicit preferences for PGx testing specifically among polypharmacy patients.
• Most polypharmacy patients demonstrated a willingness to undergo PGx testing.
• Patient preferences for PGx testing are predominantly influenced by cost, highlighting its importance for adoption.