Predictive genetic tests and health system costs

Abstract

"The potential demand for genetic tests has many firms seeking to discover and patent information about genetic markers that are correlated (however tenuously) with disease.1–6 Policy-makers worldwide are considering the potential impact — both good and bad — of new predictive genetic tests on the cost, quality and equity of health care systems.7,8 Policy discussion has tended to focus on the per-unit costs of genetic tests, and particularly on how patent law influences this. However, because the expanded use of health care products and services sold on the basis of test results may be as important in determining the health system impact of predictive genetic testing as the tests themselves, policy-makers should pay close attention to all aspects of complete testing services and their various effects on health system costs."