A decision by Walgreens to sell a genetic test, called The Insight Saliva Collection KitTM in many of its 7,000 US outlets has been reversed – the pharmacy chain has decided to postpone. For a few hundred dollars customers have been able to go online and buy this test from Pathway Genomic’s web site.

The company says it is a personal genetic testing kit which can give customers information about their genetics – which diseases they are at a higher risk of developing, which medications they would respond to best, and the likelihood of passing on susceptibility to certain diseases to their children. The kid is even supposed to provide information about a person’s ancestry.

Genetic test kits have been available for sale online for several years.

Related articles

“Challenges Identified In Genetic Ancestry Testing – American Society Of Human Genetic Task Force”

“What Is The New Over-The-Counter Genetic Test – The Insight Saliva Collection KitTM?”

“New Genetic Test To Be Sold At Walgreens – FDA Plans To Have A Look At It”

Jim Woodman, of Pathway Genomics, San Diego, USA said:

    “People should have a right to any kind of information about their health.”

Earlier this week Pathway Genomics announced in a press release that The Insight Saliva Collection KitTM would be available in thousands of Walgreen’s retail outlets as from today (Friday, 14th May, 2010).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is interested to know why Pathway did not seek FDA approval for a product with such huge public interest. However, according to an article released by The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), “Ancestry testing remains unregulated with no supervisión”. Walgreens decided to delay selling the genetics kits until the regulatory issues are sorted out.

In a press release today, Pathway Genomics wrote:

    “We respect and understand Walgreens’ decision and we are communicating with the FDA about the Pathway Genomics InsightTM collection kit. Pathway works very diligently to ensure that our business is compliant with all applicable regulations and guidelines. Our laboratory is federally CLIA-certified and state-licensed.

    Pathway Genomics provides consumers with information about their personal genetic makeup and DNA traits that allows a person to make healthier lifestyle choices. We believe it is very important that anyone interested in a personal genetic test understand the information that will be contained in his or her report. That is why we have on staff Board certified/eligible physicians and genetic counselors that are available to speak with customers about their reports. We also encourage anyone considering purchasing a Pathway product to speak with our counselors.”

Source: FDA, Pathway Genomics, The American Society of Human Genetics

Written by Christian Nordqvist