A new intervention for implementation of pharmacogenetics in psychiatry

Despite the continuous development of treatments for patients with mental illness, crucial factors such as genetic heterogeneity, low compliance and commonly encountered side effects limit treatment efficacy. In contrast with the widespread practice of selecting medication through trial and error, pharmacogenetic testing enables the evaluation of person-specific factors that make the clinical response and side effects foreseeable. The EU-funded PSY-PGx project is introducing a large-scale non-industry sponsored clinical study in 6 European (related) countries and the US that demonstrates the clinical benefits and the potential of implementing pharmacogenetics for psychiatric patients in existing medical settings.

Mental disorders are noncommunicable diseases that are a major health challenge in Europe in the 21st century. It is estimated that 38% of the EU population, which is 165 million people – suffer from a mental disorder, and this rate is expected to increase over time.

The majority of individuals with mental disorders experience onset early in their lives. In moderate or severe cases, remission is rarely spontaneous, treatment is effective in about only one third of patients and there is an increased risk for concomitant diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. As a result, life expectancy is reduced up to 20 years.