Medibank launches pharmacogenetic testing while government stalls on insurance discrimination ban

Medibank has become the first Australian health insurer to pay towards pharmacogenetic testing (PGx) for eligible customers on Extras cover. Yet, it exposes the ongoing failure by the government to ban genetic discrimination in life insurance.

How safe is it for consumers to take up PGx testing when their genetic information could potentially be used against them by life insurers – including Medibank itself, which offers both health and life insurance under its corporate umbrella?

Medibank Chief Medical Officer, and practicing psychiatrist, Dr Andrew Wilson, said “PGx testing is a great example of using technology to improve patient care. It allows health professionals to make data-driven decisions about which medications are most likely to work for each patient, based on their unique genetic profile.

“This innovation helps address a longstanding challenge in medicine – the fact that medications don’t affect everyone the same way.”

However, despite Medibank’s assurance that it will not have direct access to patient test results – since pathology invoices do not contain actual genetic findings – this provides cold comfort in a country where no legal protections exist against genetic discrimination in life insurance. The pathology invoice, however, includes the tests conducted, relevant codes and associated costs – still potentially informative breadcrumbs for insurers with vested interests.

Despite the bipartisan commitment before the last election, supported by a joint submission from over 100 community organisations, the legislation needed to ban genetic discrimination in life insurance has yet to materialise. The re-elected Labor government must stop dragging its feet and prioritise this reform, so Australians can embrace the full benefits of pharmacogenetic testing without the looming threat of insurance repercussions.

“For people who need treatment for mental health conditions, finding the right drug may take a fair bit of trial and error – sometimes months or years of it. In some cases, the medication that has been prescribed is not effective and the patient’s condition has not improved,” Dr Wilson added.

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) has developed a list of pharmacogenomic indications, categorising drugs into ‘recommended’, ‘consider’, and ‘no consensus’, based on where PGx testing is most clinically beneficial.

“PGx allows the patient and their medical professionals to understand their genetic profile, which includes how they metabolise medication, so they are more likely to get the right medication as well as the right dosage. In many cases, the person is on the right medication however the dosage is not right for them, and as a result they can experience side-effects or an inadequate response,” Dr Wilson explained.

The co-founder of Melbourne-based myDNA, Allan Sheffield, said “Being prescribed the right medication at the right dose the first time can help avoid adverse side effects and significantly improve health outcomes. It’s fantastic to see private health insurers like Medibank supporting pharmacogenetic testing in Australia and making it more accessible and affordable for their customers.”

PGx testing is used by GPs or specialists to improve treatment for mental health conditions, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, gastrointestinal and Huntington disease. Yet, the true potential of this technology will remain shackled if Australians are forced to choose between better healthcare and their right to equitable access to life insurance.

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