Bridging the Gap: The Rise of CERSI-PGx in the UK
While genomic research has long shown how our DNA affects drug safety and efficacy, moving these insights into the doctor’s surgery has been a slow process. To solve this, the UK Government and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have established a network of Centres of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI).
Among these is CERSI-PGx, a specialised centre dedicated to pharmacogenomics. Led by the University of Liverpool alongside academic and industry partners—including the British Pharmacological Society and Queen Mary University of London—this centre is designed to make genomic-based prescribing a reality in the NHS.
A Clinical Focus on Patient Safety
One of the primary goals of CERSI-PGx is to reduce adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Research like the PREPARE study has already demonstrated that using a 12-gene pharmacogenetic panel can reduce ADRs by as much as 30%.
To support clinicians, CERSI-PGx is developing a suite of UK-specific guidelines that complement existing international standards but with a sharper focus on clinical implementation. These guidelines include practical details such as:
- Eligibility: Identifying which patients need testing.
- Integration: How tests fit into current clinical pathways.
- Actionable Steps: Clear instructions for prescribing based on specific genotypes.
- Economics: Assessing the cost-effectiveness of these interventions.
Driving Innovation through Collaboration
CERSI-PGx operates across five core work packages designed to cover every angle of implementation:
- Guideline Development: Creating standards for drug-gene pairs like CYP2C19 and clopidogrel.
- Industry Pathways: Streamlining the development and regulation of genetic tests.
- Education: Upskilling the healthcare workforce.
- Health Economics: Proving the value of genomic medicine.
- Public Involvement: Ensuring patients and the public are at the heart of the process.
By fostering a “proportionate and forward-looking” regulatory environment, CERSI-PGx aims to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of the genomic medicine revolution.
Read the Full Editorial: For a deeper dive into the regulatory framework and the future of genomic medicine in the UK, click here to download the full PDF editorial as published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.