PHOENIX is a pilot two-group parallel randomised trial aimed at generating preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of a pharmacogenomics (PGx) intervention in reducing adverse drug reactions (ADR) and treatment failures in patients (hospitalised or attending secondary care specialist clinics). Additionally, it will provide early insights into health-economic impact of such PGx-guided care. Pharmacogenomic analysis will be conducted on DNA extracted from buccal swab samples taken at consent. This Trial will be performed according to the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research (2023).
The trial will recruit adult participants, admitted to wards or attending specialist outpatient clinics in Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), Glasgow, where the selected PGx drugs are frequently prescribed: General Medicine (all specialities and receiving areas), Medicine for the Elderly, Cardiology, Stroke, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology, Neurology, General Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Urology, ENT and Orthopaedics.
Potential participants will be identified by the prescription of a new medicine with pharmacogenomic implications on the HEPMA electronic prescribing system, trial team visit to ward areas, treating clinician or patients self identifying on inpatient ward areas. Drug caps will be in place throughout the trial to prevent over-recruitment of one or more commonly prescribed medications. Potential participants approached by study team and offered PIS/invite. Potential participants contact study team to opt-in or study team return to ask if interested in study +/- further discussion. Written informed consent will be given by each participant or their legal representative is they are deemed to be lacking capacity.
Maximum Total 4000 Intervention arm: 1000 to 2000 Standard of care arm: 1000 to 2000
All participants will provide a buccal swab (mouth swab) for genetic testing. All samples will have DNA extracted on receipt of the sample. Pharmacogenomic testing will be performed immediately for those in the intervention arm or stored and tested at six month in the standard of care arm.
The pharmacogenomic report will be returned to the clinician with responsibility for the patients care (at baseline for intervention or three months for standard of care) with a recommendation regarding the medicine if changes are suggested. This will unblind the treating clinician and potentially the patient if medication changes are made for the intervention group.
All participants will be asked to complete questionnaires on quality of life (monthly for three months), medication adherence and adverse drug reactions (monthly for three months).
Blood testing will be carried out for safety (usual clinical care) at approximately four weeks, dependent on the index drug.
Further information will be collected through West of Scotland Safe Haven on new medication prescriptions, hospital admissions and deaths. This will require the participants CHI (community health index) number to be linked to their Safe Haven data but data will be returned to the researchers in anonymised form.