August 15, 2025

#354 How Pharmacogenomics is Revolutionizing Drug Prescriptions

31 minutes

Why do some medications work perfectly for one person but cause side effects—or fail completely—for another? The answer often lies in our genes. Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing analyzes how our DNA affects our response to medications, helping doctors personalize treatment, reduce adverse reactions, and improve outcomes.

Joining us today are Kristy Bouvier and Kathleen O’Brien from Quest Diagnostics, both of whom have decades of experience in the field. Kristy, a product manager, brings deep expertise in pharmaceuticals, while Kathleen, a board-certified genetic counselor, specializes in pharmacogenomics and hereditary oncology.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

✅ How pharmacogenomics (PGx) works and what results the test provides

✅ How PGx testing prevents adverse drug reactions and improves treatment

✅ Real-world examples of PGx in action

✅ Challenges and future trends in integrating pharmacogenomics into healthcare

✅ What patients should know before getting tested

The Panel:

Kristy Bouvier started her career with Quest Diagnostics in 2014 as a Neurology Account Executive for the Boston North territory. In this role she has over 8 years of experience in laboratory sales specializing in neurology and genetics. Currently Kristy serves as a product manager for U.S. Specialty genetics where she is responsible for the Quest genetics portfolio in rare diseases. She currently manages the biochemical genetics, cytogenetics, pharmacogenomics, and whole exome product lines.

Kathleen O’Brien, MS, DABMG, CGC is a board-certified genetic counselor who has been with Quest Diagnostics since 2005. She previously worked in clinical genetic counseling at Stony Brook University Hospital, Winthrop University Hospital (now NYU), and the NYS Institute for Basic Research. She earned her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and has a special interest in hereditary oncology and pharmacogenomics, actively contributing to CPIC, NSGC, and the NSGC pharmacogenetics working group.

Resources:

Quest’s New Pharmacogenomics Panel

GeneReviews

ClinPGx

Sequence2Script

The PREPARE Study

Table of Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers in Drug Labeling

The Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC®)

DNA Today Episode #324 Genetic Contraindications for Ozempic and Wegovy (GLP-1 Agonists) with Dr. Josiah Allen

Get ready, genetic nerds—another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday.

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 350 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel!

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC.

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

...more

View all episodes

By Kira Dineen, Gene Pool Media

4.7

153153 ratings