Next generation genome sequencing – its impact now
The next generation of genome sequencing is already impacting private healthcare, and will have a profound effect on care in general over the next decade.
“Know how many BRCA tests Myriad Genetics is doing daily in the States? Only 1,500 – that compares to around 2,000 a year in Germany,” says the head of one of the big private European lab groups. It seems clear that many new tests are in the pipeline, and many people are more than happy to dig deep and pay for them out-of-pocket. You can, for instance, avoid the standard amniocentesis test – in which there is a tiny risk that the embryo may be pricked by the collecting syringe – and replace it with a genetic test using the mother’s blood, from which fragments of fetal DNA are then extracted. We hear that labs in some European countries are inundated with requests for this – even though it costs €650 a pop.
The big question is: how many tests are going to productised, and when? Here, no one seems to have a clear answer. But there is a growing consensus that a large market of consumers paying out-of-pocket will continue to grow.
Dr Jan Van Emelen, Director of Strategy at the national association of mutual insurers in Belgium, says that he expects to see a big increase in privately-funded tests. He has a lifelong interest in chronic disease management programmes, where genetic tests will play a huge role in prevention, allowing individuals to identify their potential weaknesses and change their behaviour. He says: “The introduction of genetic tests will be from the bottom up. Consumers, the medical profession and patient associations will force politicians to eventually pay for these tests.” Meanwhile, he expects to see a big rise in out-of-pocket spending on tests.
We think such tests will provide a bonanza for private healthcare, and particularly for diagnostic laboratories. Many of these tests will likely take 5-10 years before they are paid for by statutory insurers in many countries.
We would welcome your thoughts on this story. Email your views to Max Hotopf or call 0207 183 3779.
