- Bupa’s My Genomic Health pilot has found 99% of people have genetic sensitivity to common medicines leading to increased side effects, reduced effectiveness or safety concerns
- This means that based on a person’s individual DNA, some prescription drugs will not work for them, affecting millions in UK taking regular medications
- Medication Check launches today, offering personalised guidance on medication effectiveness with a simple saliva test available to buy for £300 on the Bupa UK website
- Over 2,000 Bupa Insurance customers have already participated in the My Genomic Health pilot; Medication Check will be made available to over 3m customers from autumn as part of their workplace health scheme
- Bupa is the first UK insurer to give customers access to a tiered suite of DNA testing with genomics products that truly enable personalised health plans and preventative action on health
Leading healthcare provider Bupa has today launched Medication Check, a DNA testing product, part of a new suite of My Genomic Health tests following its successful pilot.
The pilot found that 99% of people have genetic sensitivity to common medicines potentially leading to increased side effects, reduced effectiveness or safety concerns.
In response, Bupa’s new Medication Check is a saliva test that establishes what medications are most likely to be effective, those with increased risk of adverse side effects, or critically, based on an individual’s genome sequence, medications that won’t work for them at all.
With one in two people in the UK regularly taking a prescription medication1, this test can change the health journey for those living with long-term conditions – such as diabetes, mental health disorders, cardiovascular diseases and those requiring ongoing pain management – as well as those taking daily medications, to receive the right medication and dosage from start.
Carlos Jaureguizar, CEO for Bupa Global, India and UK, said: “Genomics is to play a pivotal role in healthcare innovation. It is a game changer in supporting the UK’s health ambitions, offering the potential to ease pressure on healthcare systems and GPs.
“Findings from our pilot have given us valuable insights into how DNA can affect an individual’s response to medication, to treat patients with the right medication at the right dose from day one. This is life-changing for those at the start of their health journey and those living with chronic conditions: prescribing treatment that works, personalising early interventions for better long-term outcomes and maximising medication efficiency.
“Through the launch of Bupa’s Medication Check, DNA Health Check and Advanced DNA Health Check, we move to more preventative healthcare and personalised health plans: from before symptoms develop to tailored treatment plans for each individual in their journey through health.”
After completing the at-home Medication Check, patients will have access to a Bupa GP consultation to review any medicines identified in their genetic test results. This enables more personalised medication management tailored to individual health needs. The service will be offered on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Dr Rebecca Rohrer, Clinical Innovation and Genomics Director for Bupa, said: “We've long known that most medications only work for 30-50% of the population. However, this pilot has highlighted just how significantly individual genomes impact the effectiveness of medications in treating conditions. With more than half of us regularly taking a prescription medication and an increasing number affected by a chronic condition, it’s crucial that people are prescribed the right medicine from the start, tailored to their unique genetic makeup.
“In the longer term, genomics is key to early detection and even preventing some illnesses altogether.”
In addition to Medication Check, Bupa will add two more products to its My Genomic Health suite of genomics products later this year, enabling people to prevent or detect illness earlier, leading to better health outcomes:
- DNA Health Check: This will give people early warning of increased genetic risk of four different conditions; breast cancer, prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It will be available as an optional add-on to Bupa Health Assessments for women over 40 and men over 45.
- Advanced DNA Health Check: The most comprehensive test in the portfolio, combining insights from medication, disease risk, carrier status, and traits to give a complete picture of an individual’s health profile with guidance on action and support. The test looks at the genetic risk of developing more than 36 conditions that can be either prevented or have better outcomes if detected and treated early. These include heart disease, metabolic diseases and 10 types of cancer such as breast, prostate, skin and bowel cancer.
Key findings: My Genomic Health pilot
Since October 2024, 2,200 UK-based Bupa customers have undergone whole genome sequencing to analyse how their individual DNA responds to common medicines, as well as their genetic risk of developing 36 preventable diseases including cancers, heart conditions and type 2 diabetes.
The Bupa pilot found:
- 99% of pilot participants had a genetic variant affecting their sensitivity to certain medicines, leading to increased side effects, reduced efficiency or safety concerns
- 91% of participants were found to be at risk of developing a disease with genetic and lifestyle risk factors (e.g. fatty liver disease, breast cancer, certain heart diseases)
- 73% of participants had multiple genetic variants that put them at raised risk of developing a condition that could be prevented or detected early leading to better health outcomes (e.g. high cholesterol, skin cancer, type 2 diabetes)
- 49% of customers were found to be carriers of a genetic variant that could lead to raised risk of certain condition in future generations
Carlos Jaureguizar concluded: “Whole genomic sequencing is fundamentally changing our approach to healthcare, pivoting from treatment to prevention. It has the power to become a health passport that people can reference throughout their lives. We firmly believe genomics is the path to health innovation and prevention, reducing the nation’s health burden and giving people personalised knowledge of their own genomic profile to live well for longer.”
To order Medication Check now call 0345 266 0024.
1 The YouGov Big Survey on Drugs: Prescription drugs
Note to Editors
Bupa’s Medication Check is available to purchase on the Bupa website for both customers and non-customers from 16 July 2025.
Bupa’s 3m workplace health and wellbeing customers will be able to access this once their employer has selected the benefit, starting with our corporate customers from autumn 2025.
We will extend access to our Medication Check and Health Check products to more Bupa customers over the course of 2025 and 2026.
Genetic testing post-diagnosis
Along with preventative health, Bupa now offers UK insurance customers the choice to access a range of genetic tests once symptoms have been identified to support their treatment plan, as recommended by their consultant. These tests include:
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Signatera: for customers with colorectal or bladder cancer. Indicates the likelihood of the cancer returning and whether chemotherapy is required
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CiRT: helps clinicians decide whether customers will benefit from Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) treatment for multiple different cancers
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Digistain: assesses the risk of breast cancer recurrence, in patients with ER positive, HER2 negative early-stage breast cancer
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Galeas: a urine test for customers presenting with microscopic haematuria. It can detect DNA from cancer cells and is highly sensitive, particularly at reporting when cancer is highly unlikely
About Bupa Global, India and UK
Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. Health insurance accounts for a large part of our business with Bupa UK Insurance, the UK’s leading health insurer, providing health and dental cover to around 4 million people. Bupa Global is the premium health insurance arm of Bupa, serving 400,000 customers around the world. Niva Bupa is a leading provider of health insurance and retail health insurance in India, with 19.6 million customers. Bupa Dental Care is the leading provider of dentistry in the UK, providing dental services in around 400 centres across the UK and Ireland. Bupa Care Services has around 7000 residents in over 116 care homes, and 10 Richmond care villages. Bupa Health Services comprises 79 health clinics and the Cromwell Hospital in London which provides care for insured, self-pay and international patients.
