Should Medicare support genetic screening for Asian Australians at risk of reacting to epilepsy medication?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-05-09 01:00

Australia; NSW

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A specific gene is associated with an increased risk of a life threatening reaction to an epilepsy medication in many Asian populations, and an Australian study has found genetic screening for new Asian-Australian epilepsy patients is a cost-effective strategy. Screening for this gene is routinely offered in some Asian countries but is not currently subsidised by Medicare in Australia, so the researchers created a model to predict the cost and impact on length and quality of life of offering genetic screening to newly diagnosed Asian Australians with epilepsy, or treating them with the epilepsy medication carbamazepine, which carries the risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The researchers say their model found the screening is cost effective and while patients are likely to not live as long due to using less effective medication, they are likely to have a higher overall quality of life.

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Research JAMA, Web page The URL will go live after the embargo ends

Journal/
conference: JAMA Dermatology

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: The University of New South Wales, The University of Sydney

Funder: Mr Gu reported a scholarship from Ego Pharmaceuticals outside the submitted work. Prof Sebaratnam reported personal fees from Galderma, AbbVie, Amgen, Pfizer, Novartis, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Ego Pharmaceuticals, and Sun Pharma and nonfinancial support from Candela Medical and Heine Optotechnik outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

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