Concierge genetics · London
Pharmacogenomic testing, so the medicine fits the person.
One cheek swab reads the genes that decide how you metabolise most prescription drugs. Your prescriber then chooses the right medicine and the right dose the first time, not the third.
What PGx is
Reading the genes that decide how a drug works in you.
Pharmacogenomics tests the drug-metabolising enzymes, transporters and receptors coded by genes such as CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP3A4/5, CYP1A2, TPMT, DPYD, UGT1A1, HLA-B*5701, HLA-B*1502, HLA-B*5801, SLCO1B1, VKORC1, CYP4F2 and G6PD. The result guides both drug selection and dose.
Evidence-based applications
Twelve gene-drug pairs with clear CPIC or DPWG guidance.
Not every gene-drug pair has strong evidence. The list below covers those that do, including the tests the NHS already mandates.
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CYP2D6
Opioid metabolism (codeine, tramadol), tricyclics, SSRIs, tamoxifen activation to endoxifen, antipsychotics, metoprolol. Ultra-rapid metabolisers convert codeine to morphine faster with a risk of respiratory depression. Poor metabolisers get little analgesia.
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CYP2C19
Clopidogrel activation before PCI (loss-of-function alleles raise stent thrombosis risk), PPIs, citalopram, voriconazole.
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DPYD
5-fluorouracil and capecitabine chemotherapy. Pre-treatment DPYD screening has been mandated across NHS oncology since 2020 to prevent lethal toxicity in DPD-deficient patients.
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TPMT / NUDT15
Azathioprine and mercaptopurine. Pre-treatment screening is standard of care to avoid severe myelosuppression.
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UGT1A1
Irinotecan dose selection to reduce neutropenia and diarrhoea in patients with reduced-function alleles.
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HLA-B*5701
Mandatory before abacavir for HIV to prevent life-threatening hypersensitivity.
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HLA-B*1502
Carbamazepine in patients of Asian ancestry (Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis risk).
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HLA-B*5801
Allopurinol in Han Chinese, Thai and Korean populations to avoid severe cutaneous reactions.
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SLCO1B1
Statin-associated myopathy risk. Order of risk: simvastatin greater than rosuvastatin, atorvastatin and pravastatin.
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VKORC1 and CYP2C9
Warfarin initiation dose and time to stable INR.
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CYP3A5
Tacrolimus dose after transplantation.
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G6PD
Antimalarials (primaquine, tafenoquine), rasburicase, dapsone, fava beans and other oxidative drugs.
NHS versus private
Single-gene versus comprehensive panels.
The NHS runs PGx for specific mandated indications (DPYD, TPMT, HLA-B*5701, HLA-B*1502 and selected CYP2D6 tamoxifen cases). Private laboratories offer broader panels of 50 to 200-plus genes for holistic prescribing, once and for life.
The journey
From medication review to prescribing report.
Roughly three weeks end to end, with an advisory prescribing report your GP, pharmacist or specialist can act on.
- 01
Medication and history review
A concierge clinician reviews your current medicines, past adverse reactions, family history and the clinical question the test needs to answer.
- 02
Sample and informed consent
A simple cheek swab or blood sample is taken at a Harley Street clinic or at home. Written consent covers what is tested, what is stored and who sees the result.
- 03
Laboratory analysis
The sample is sent to an accredited genomics laboratory. Comprehensive panels cover 50 to 200-plus genes; single-gene tests (DPYD, TPMT, HLA-B*5701) are turned around faster.
- 04
Advisory prescribing report
Results are returned in two to three weeks with CPIC and DPWG-aligned prescribing guidance for every drug on your list.
- 05
Interpretation with a prescriber
You review the report with a GP, pharmacist or clinical geneticist. Your prescriber changes, doses or monitoring where the evidence supports it.
Indicative pricing
Honest ranges, London 2026.
Pricing depends on gene coverage, laboratory and whether a clinical geneticist consultation is included.
| Test | Indicative price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Single-gene test (DPYD, TPMT, HLA-B*5701) | £150 to £280 | 5 to 10 days |
| Comprehensive PGx panel (50 to 200-plus genes) | £250 to £550 | 2 to 3 weeks |
| PGx panel with genetic counselling | £550 to £950 | 2 to 3 weeks |
London providers
Where PGx testing is actually good.
Accredited laboratories and clinical genetics services we use for referrals.
- Nordic Laboratories UK partners
- Randox Health
- Genomics England
- King's Genomics and Precision Medicine
- University College London Genetics
- Now Patient
- Genomind
- GeneSight (Myriad)
Pharmacogenomic testing looks at inherited variants. It is not a substitute for somatic tumour molecular profiling in cancer treatment (see the tumour molecular profiling page).
Frequently asked
Questions before you test.
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Who benefits most from pharmacogenomic testing?
Patients on multiple long-term medicines, people who have had unexplained side effects or poor response to a drug, those starting a medicine with a known gene-drug interaction (clopidogrel, warfarin, tamoxifen, azathioprine, capecitabine, abacavir), and anyone with a family history of severe adverse drug reactions.
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Does the NHS offer pharmacogenomic testing?
The NHS mandates specific tests: DPYD before 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine, TPMT before thiopurines, HLA-B*5701 before abacavir, HLA-B*1502 before carbamazepine in patients of Asian ancestry, and CYP2D6 in selected tamoxifen cases. Comprehensive panels for holistic prescribing are private only in the UK.
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How is a sample taken?
A cheek swab or a small venous blood sample. There is no fasting, no injection risk and no radiation. Testing can be arranged at a London clinic or by post.
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Are the results one-off or lifelong?
Your genotype does not change. A pharmacogenomic result is a lifelong reference that any future prescriber can use, provided the report is kept in your medical record.
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What about tumour DNA testing for cancer treatment?
Pharmacogenomic testing looks at inherited (germline) variants that affect how you metabolise drugs. Somatic tumour molecular profiling is a separate test that examines mutations inside a cancer to guide targeted therapy. See our tumour molecular profiling page.
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Will my GP use the report?
UK GPs are increasingly familiar with CPIC and DPWG guidance. We route the report and a short prescribing summary to your GP, and can arrange a follow-up with a clinical pharmacist or geneticist where the case is complex.
Concierge PGx testing, London
Get the right medicine, the right dose, the first time.
We arrange the sample, the accredited laboratory panel and the prescribing consultation. Free introduction, no obligation.