A medication shows the desired effect in one person, while it hardly helps another or causes unwanted side effects. There are different reasons for this. In addition to age, health status, and other factors, genetic predisposition can also influence how the body processes certain active substances.

This is exactly what the so-called pharmacogenetics deals with. It examines the influence of genetic differences on the effectiveness and tolerability of drugs. The Lower Austrian company Permedio wants to integrate such findings more into individual healthcare.

Not everyone processes medications in the same way. Certain genetic variants can influence how quickly an active substance is broken down in the body or how the organism reacts to it.

With the help of pharmacogenetic examinations, such differences can be identified in selected medications. The results can provide doctors with additional information to better tailor the selection and dosage of certain drugs to individual patients.

The goal is to improve the effectiveness of a treatment and reduce possible side effects. However, it is not possible to predict how well a medication will work or be tolerated based solely on genes. Other health factors also remain crucial for treatment.

With the so-called MedicationCheck, Permedio offers a genetic examination. For this, a saliva sample is taken once and then analyzed in the company’s own laboratory in Neunkirchen.

According to the company, the sample remains in Austria during the examination and is not sent abroad.

In the laboratory, certain genetic variants are examined that can influence the processing of selected medications. The results are intended to provide an additional basis for medical decisions.

Especially in combination with a medication analysis, the information can be helpful. The medications already being taken are reviewed. Together with the genetic results, it can be assessed whether an adjustment in certain drugs or dosages might be advisable.

However, such an examination does not replace a medical assessment. Changes to an existing medication should only be made in consultation with medical professionals.

The offer is now also accessible through the Korneuburg West Pharmacy. According to a press release from October 15, 2026, it is the first pharmacy in Korneuburg to include genetic analyses from Permedio in its health services.

Owner Gabriela Heger sees this as an expansion of the existing consultation options.

“Prevention and comprehensive personal consultation are particularly important to us,” explains Heger.

She sees potential for more individualized care, especially with the MedicationCheck. The pharmacy already offers medication analyses, nutritional counseling, and various health examinations.

The Korneuburg West Pharmacy was opened in February 2023 and is located at a health site that combines a pharmacy and a health center.

In addition to the MedicationCheck, the pharmacy offers a so-called LifestyleCheck. Genetic variants are examined, which according to Permedio, may be related to certain metabolic traits.

The associated report titled „Diet & Nutrition | Weight & Body Fat“ deals, among other things, with the processing of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Possible genetic influences on the feeling of satiety, weight management, as well as vitamin and mineral requirements are also considered.

The results are intended to serve as a basis for more individualized nutritional counseling. However, the press release does not indicate how significant individual genetic traits are for specific dietary recommendations.

For Permedio, collaboration with pharmacies is a way to integrate genetic testing more into health care.

„Pharmacies are one of the first points of contact for many people when it comes to health questions. It is all the more important to make innovative possibilities of personalized medicine accessible right there,“ says Managing Director Katharina Schneider.

Permedio operates a health center in Neunkirchen with a laboratory for genetic and epigenetic analyses, a group practice for internal medicine, and a medical training center.

With the cooperation in Korneuburg, interested parties can combine the offered genetic analyses with personal consultation on site.

The press release does not specify the costs of the examinations or how long the evaluation takes. It also does not contain specific information on the proven reduction of side effects through the offered testing procedure.

(VIENNA.AT)

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