Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about PRECISE Pharmacogenomics and Nutrigenomics testing. Choose the section that fits you.
Questions from patients
Thinking about a test for yourself or a loved one? These answers explain the process, the benefits and what to expect.
PRECISE Pharmacogenomics — Medication and Drugs
What is the difference between DNA testing and pharmacogenomics?
DNA (genetic) tests come in many types. They can look at ancestry, family relationships, inherited conditions or cancer risk.
Pharmacogenomics (PGx) looks at one thing: how your genes affect the way you respond to medicines. Doctors use it to choose suitable medicines and doses, and to lower the risk of side effects.
PRECISE Pharmacogenomics is a clinically accredited medication DNA test. It helps make sure your medicines suit you.
Is PRECISE Pharmacogenomics reliable?
Yes. It checks nearly 100,000 gene markers across more than 1,000 genes that affect how your body handles medicine. It covers over 500 commonly used medicines in 20+ treatment areas, including:
- Painkillers
- Antibiotics
- Diabetes medicines
- Heart disease treatments
- Cancer therapies
It was named "The First Clinical Recommended Genome-Wide Pharmacogenomics" by the Malaysia Book of Records.
This report does not replace a consultation with your doctor. Speak to your doctor before changing any medicine.
How accurate is it?
Its analytical accuracy is over 99%. This means the lab reads your DNA correctly more than 99% of the time. The lab and test meet these standards:
- CAP and ISO 15189 laboratory standards
- HSA (Health Sciences Authority, Singapore): Clinical Recommendation of Targeted Treatment
- UKAS (UK Accreditation Service): assessed by NQA and accredited to ISO 13485:2016
Who should consider this test?
Anyone who takes medicine, or wants treatment that fits them better. It is especially helpful for:
- People on long-term medicine, such as for high blood pressure, diabetes or mental health
- People who have had, or have a family history of, bad reactions to medicine
- People having chemotherapy or treatment for long-term illness
- People who want their medicines to work well and stay safe
- People who want to be prepared before they ever need a medicine
Can children or older adults take the test?
Yes. The test is suitable for all ages.
- Children: shows early how they may respond to medicines, so treatment is safer and more effective as they grow.
- Older adults: helpful when taking several medicines, to lower the risk of side effects.
A child's DNA stays the same for life, although medicine doses may change as they grow. The test is done once and can be used for life.
Do my results change over time?
No. Your DNA does not change, so your results stay valid for life. As new medicines and research appear, updated recommendations may become available.
Can it help with medication side effects?
Yes. The test shows how your genes may change the way your body breaks down or reacts to certain medicines. This helps predict and prevent side effects, also called adverse drug reactions.
Do I need to stop my medicines before the test?
No. The test reads your DNA, which is not affected by the medicines you take. Keep taking them as your healthcare provider advised.
PRECISE Nutrigenomics — Food Intake
How is it different from general nutrition advice?
General advice often works by trial and error. Nutrigenomics uses your DNA to personalise food recommendations, so you get the nutrients your body needs.
Who should take a Nutrigenomics test?
It may help if you:
- Have a long-term condition that diet can affect
- Have a family history of diabetes, heart disease or gout
- Find weight management hard
- Want nutrition matched to your DNA
- Want to prevent health problems early
Can I take both tests together?
Yes. The two tests work well together. They show how your genes affect both your food needs and your response to medicine. If you take both, you only need one cheek swab or blood draw.
Is the Nutrigenomics test safe and accurate?
- Non-invasive (a cheek swab is available)
- Done in a lab that meets CAP and ISO 15189 standards
- Backed by research and reviewed by healthcare experts
- Nutrient levels follow Recommended Nutrient Intakes and Dietary Guidelines
Can it help with weight loss?
Yes. Knowing how your body handles food and nutrients helps build a weight plan that suits you, supporting metabolism and fat loss.
Will the results change my diet or lifestyle?
The results show how your genes affect your response to foods and nutrients, and guide diet advice that suits you.
Review your results with a dietitian or healthcare professional before making changes.
Getting started
How do I sign up?
Contact us directly, or sign up at any partner hospital, clinic or pharmacy in Malaysia. Our partners can help you book your test.
Is testing covered by insurance?
It depends on your insurer. Please check with your insurance company whether they cover pharmacogenomics or nutrigenomics tests.
What happens during the test?
It is quick and simple. We collect DNA from a saliva sample or a cheek (buccal) swab.
How long do results take?
Usually 3 to 6 weeks. Your sample goes through over 300 lab steps with several quality checks. Results are delivered through our secure app, PreciseEHR. A healthcare professional will then go through them with you.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No, but we recommend using one of our partner hospitals, clinics or pharmacies. They can explain your results and give advice based on them.
Can I use my results overseas?
Yes. Our reports follow international guidelines such as CPIC, FDA and DPWG. Whether they are accepted depends on your local healthcare provider.
Can I give a test as a gift?
Yes. The person receiving it must sign a consent form before testing.
What if I do not understand my results?
A trained healthcare professional will explain them to you. This can be through our panel network or your referring doctor. They will show you what your results mean and how to use them.
Questions from professionals
Want to become a PRECISE Panel Partner, or offer clinically accredited pharmacogenomics and nutrigenomics testing in your practice? Here are the most common questions.
Who can become a PRECISE Panel Partner?
We welcome licensed hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and wellness centres, in Malaysia and worldwide, that want to offer these tests to patients or clients. Basic knowledge of genetics helps, and we provide full training and support.
What support do new partners receive?
We guide you from start to finish:
- Product training for clinicians and staff
- Consultation scripts and patient materials
- Help from our clinical team to interpret results
- Marketing materials to promote the service at your location
How are results delivered, and who interprets them?
Results go to your panel securely through our online portal. Patients also get a copy in the PreciseEHR app.
- PGx reports are clinically actionable. They must be interpreted by certified healthcare professionals.
- NGx reports can be interpreted by certified dietitians or nutritionists.
Our clinical team can join a review or give support whenever you need it.
What do the PGx and NGx reports include?
- Alerts on how genes interact with drugs or nutrients
- Clinical recommendations based on CPIC, DPWG and other recognised guidelines
- Nutrient advice based on genetics
Is there a cost to become a partner?
No upfront fees. You only pay for the test kits you order. You can offer testing as an added service or resell it to patients.
Can I discuss a clinical case with someone?
Yes. Our in-house practitioners and genetic counsellor can support you. You can also book a joint consultation with our genetic team for complex cases.
How long do results take?
Usually 2 to 4 weeks from the day the lab receives the sample. Urgent clinical cases can be prioritised on request.
Do you offer CPD training or certification?
Yes. We offer CPD-accredited (CME) training to help you use pharmacogenomics in daily practice. Modules cover the basics, clinical use and patient case studies.
FAQ: Essential PRECISE Pharmacogenomics & PRECISE Nutrigenomics Answers
