PUDUCHERRY: At a time when the world is looking towards personalised medicine, the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) has taken the lead among government hospitals in the country by introducing pharmacogenomics testing of genes to provide personalised treatment. Initially, the testing would be done for CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and VKORC1 genes which would promote personalised treatment of patients with epilepsy, peptic ulcer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cardiac diseases, deep vein thrombosis and patients undergoing valve therapy, said Dr C Adithan, professor and head , department of pharmacology, JIPMER. He added that it was the first step towards personalised medicine.The idea behind the pharmogenomic testing is to understand the genetic make up of an individual associated with drug metabolism and treatment response to drugs. Pharmocogenomics stems from the concept that one drug doesn’t fit all. Instead of the patient undergoing a ‘trial and error’ of various drugs, all it takes is one DNA test to analyse one’s genes which are the code for drug metabolising enzymes. Knowing the patient’s genetic constitution would enable the physician to prescribe more confidently the appropriate drug. One could do away with the adverse drug reaction (ADR) or non-response. He added that there was no accounting for the cost effectiveness in the long run. The testing would be done in the PCR laboratory of JIPMER. After the logistics are put in place, the testing would begin in the next three to six months and thereafter testing of other genes would be introduced in a phased manner, he said.The department of pharmacology, JIPMER, also has a drug information centre, where on an average 70 area reports are received on ADR.Symposium on Hepatitis BA symposium on ‘hepatitis B-resolving the dilemma’ was held at JIPMER on Saturday. Dr Sankaranarayanan from Chennai KK trust hospital who spoke on hepatitis in children emphasised on the importance of hepatitis B vaccination in high risk groups. The methods of testing used to diagnose acute and chronic hepatitis B were elaborated by Dr George Kurien. Dr Piramanayagam from Apollo hospital, Chennai, spoke on hepatitis B and pregnancy and Dr Thomas Alexander from Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences on hepatitis B in adults. Dr Biju Pottakkat from JIPMER who spoke on liver cancer detailed the various therapeutic options in liver cancer associated with Hepatitis B. Dr Lakshmi and Dr Amit Goel, gastroenterologists from JIPMER, outlined several aspects to prevent hepatitis B in adults and children. The symposium urged the delegates to increase the awareness among health workers and public about hepatitis B and its complications.
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