Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Hyderabad Doctors Pioneer Gene Testing to Personalize Medication and Reduce Drug Use
Imagine you're trying to find the perfect key to unlock a door, but you keep trying random keys.
That's like how doctors sometimes try different medicines to see which one works best for you.
Now, imagine a special test that looks at your body's own instructions, called genes, to figure out exactly which key (medicine) will open the door (help your health) the fastest and without any problems.
Doctors in Hyderabad have created this special gene test.
It helps them pick the right medicines for each person right away, so you don't have to try many medicines that might not work or could make you feel sick.
This can save time, money, and stop you from feeling bad.
The test looks at how your genes handle different medicines for things like blood pressure or diabetes.
It's like getting a personalized map for your health, making sure you get the best treatment for you.
Hyderabad doctors Hima Challa and Kalyan Uppuluri have developed a pharmacogenomics test for personalized medicine.
The test aims to reduce unnecessary drug use by identifying medications best suited to an individual's genetic profile.
It helps doctors avoid trial-and-error prescribing, potentially reducing costs, stress, and side effects.
The pharmacogenomics test costs ₹5,000, with plans to reduce it to ₹1,500-₹2,000 with large-scale adoption.
The test covers a range of drugs for conditions including diabetes, blood pressure, and neurological diseases, and is gaining traction in rural areas.
- Who
- US-returned doctors Dr. Hima Challa and Dr. Kalyan Uppuluri
- What
- Developed a pharmacogenomics test for personalized medication
- When
- The test is currently available and gaining traction; study to be published for wider access.
- Where
- Hyderabad (developed), available at AIG Hospitals and GenepoweRx centre, with home service and rural testing conducted in areas like Kodad.
- Why
- To reduce unnecessary drug use, trial-and-error prescribing, and adverse side effects by matching medications to an individual's genetic profile.
Traditional Trial-and-Error Prescribing
Personalized Gene-Based Prescribing
Medication Effectiveness
Traditional Trial-and-Error Prescribing
Doctors select medicines based on general knowledge and patient response over time, which can lead to a trial-and-error process.
Personalized Gene-Based Prescribing
Doctors can select medicines based on a patient's specific gene mutations, identifying which drugs will be effective and which may not be.
Drug Side Effects and Polypharmacy
Traditional Trial-and-Error Prescribing
Patients may experience unintended side effects and take multiple medications (polypharmacy) without significant improvement in their condition.
Personalized Gene-Based Prescribing
This approach aims to reduce polypharmacy, costs, stress, and side effects by avoiding unsuitable medications and prescribing safer alternatives.
Adoption and Awareness
Traditional Trial-and-Error Prescribing
Slower adoption in India due to a lack of knowledge about pharmacogenomics.
Personalized Gene-Based Prescribing
Growing interest with ongoing awareness programs for physicians and collaborations with medical associations and hospitals to expand adoption.
- Developers
- Dr. Hima Challa and Dr. Kalyan Uppuluri
- Test Type
- Pharmacogenomics
- Purpose
- Personalized medication based on genetic profile to reduce unnecessary drug use.
- Current Cost
- ₹5,000
- Potential Reduced Cost
- ₹1,500 - ₹2,000 (with large-scale testing)
- Sample Type
- Blood
- Report Turnaround Time
- Within two weeks
- Availability
- AIG Hospitals, GenepoweRx centre, Home service