DNA testing 'could save NHS £700m every year'

THE NHS could save up to £700million a year and prevent thousands of hospital admissions by using DNA testing to personalise prescriptions.

- By Lucy Johnston SOCIAL AFFAIRS EDITOR

Every year, thousands of people suffer severe reactions to medicines — some with fatal consequences.

Scientists at Liverpool University found that treating these adverse reactions costs the NHS £2.2billion annually in England alone.

Groundbreaking research suggests a simple DNA test could cut severe drug reactions by almost a third, slashing hospital admissions and suffering.

The Liverpool team, working with experts from the University of Bangor and the Office of Health Economics, will publish its findings on how much such genetic testing can save the economy later this summer.