If your kitchen counter looks like a pharmacy, you’re not alone. Many Suncoast residents, especially retirees and snowbirds, manage a long list of prescriptions every day. A growing field called pharmacogenomics, or PGx, uses a simple cheek swab to analyze how your DNA affects the way your body responds to certain medications. The goal is straightforward: match the right drug and the right dose to the right person.
The results can be striking. Cancer survivor Beverly Kerr took the test and learned that one of her medications, hydralazine, conflicted with her genetics and caused dizzy spells. After sharing her results with her doctor, her prescriptions went from 14 down to 2 over two years. Dr. Troy Veale, founder of PHD Lab, began offering the testing in 2023 after his mother died while taking 13 medications. Lanaire Malone sought testing for her mother, who had suffered strokes and breast cancer, hoping to understand whether her medications were causing harm.
There are real limitations to keep in mind. PHD Lab charges $699, and insurance may not cover it. Without coverage, testing can run $800 to $1,200. The test also examines only a limited set of genes, and not all doctors use the results. Cleveland Clinic notes that diet, exercise, alcohol, and other drugs all influence how your body processes medication. If you’re curious, bring it up at your next appointment. Have you ever wondered whether your prescriptions were truly matched to you?
