In “Health & Science,” the Washington Post (3/29, Marcus) delved into the debate among physicians whether “genetic testing helps” them “better prescribe antidepressants.” Last November, “the Food and Drug Administration…released a statement warning patients and doctors to be cautious about genetic testing that has not been approved by the FDA, including those that guide the prescribing of antidepressants.” The statement, prepared by the directors of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health and of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said, “The FDA is aware of genetic tests that claim results can be used by physicians to identify which antidepressant medication would have increased effectiveness or side effects compared to other antidepressant medications.” Nevertheless, “the relationship between DNA variations and the effectiveness of antidepressant medications has never been established,” the statement added.
Related Links:
— “Can genetic testing help doctors better prescribe antidepressants? There’s quite a debate, “Ilana Marcus, The Washington Post, March 29, 2019