Personalized Medicine is Coming Soon

Medical experts believe that a person's genetic makeup determines whether a particular medication will be effective for them or not. According to the New York Times, most medications are effective for only half of all people who take them. This means that half of all Americans - and their insurers - are not spending their health dollars in the most efficient way. Genetic testing could be the key to determining who should take a particular medication. This type of testing, designed to tailor treatment regimens for a specific patient, is referred to as "personalized medicine."

There is a cost associated with the testing itself, but it may be worth it - particularly for expensive drugs. For example, some medication can cost as much as $10,000 per month, so insurers may want proof that the drug will work before spending that much money on behalf of a patient.

Some believe that personalized medicine will take decades to fully implement. However, the movement is beginning, as researchers and physicians find ways to determine exactly who will get the greatest benefits from each medication.