AIG Hospitals unveils affordable genetic test to personalise prescriptions

In a major breakthrough for precision healthcare, AIG Hospitals, in collaboration with Genepow-eRx, has introduced India’s first affordable Pharmacogenomics Test—a cutting-edge genetic test that enables doctors to prescribe medicines tailored to each individual’s genetic profile.

The initiative marks a paradigm shift from the conventional “one-size-fits-all” approach to a more precise, evidence-based system of prescribing medications. The launch follows a joint study by AIG Hospitals and GenepoweRx involving 2,000 patients, which found that nearly 30% of pa-tients were on medications unsuitable for their genetic makeup, leading to poor treatment out-comes or adverse side effects.

“This has far-reaching implications for patient safety and healthcare costs,” said Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals. “Our study clearly shows that one in three patients may be taking genetically incompatible medicines. By introducing this affordable test, we aim to make precision medicine a part of routine healthcare in India, while laying the foundation for large-scale genomic and translational research.”

Pharmacogenomics examines how an individual’s genetic composition influences their response to drugs. AIG’s new test analyses genes that determine how the body metabolizes medicines used to treat cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological and psychiatric conditions, and pain management.

Unlike other medical tests, this genetic assessment needs to be done only once in a lifetime, as a person’s DNA remains constant. Patients will receive a personalized report booklet that can be shared with any doctor, anywhere in the world, to ensure safer and more effective prescriptions throughout their lives.

What makes the initiative particularly noteworthy is its cost accessibility. Similar genomic tests in Western countries typically cost around Rs80,000, while AIG Hospitals has made it available for just Rs5,000, democratising access to world-class personalized healthcare at one-tenth the global price.

The test is powered by GenepoweRx’s SIGMA-ML platform, which uses advanced artificial in-telligence and next-generation sequencing to analyze genetic data and produce clinician-friendly reports. “We are delighted to partner with AIG Hospitals to bring advanced pharmacogenomic testing into everyday clinical care,” said Dr Kalyan Uppaluri, Managing Director, GenepoweRx. “This will empower doctors to prescribe medicines that are both safer and more effective for their patients.”