Is PGx Testing Safe?

What Patients in the UK Need to Know About PGx

Pharmacogenetic testing—also known as PGx testing—is completely safe and designed only to help your doctor personalise your medication. Many patients worry about privacy or whether a DNA test reveals more than they’d like. In reality, PGx testing looks only at genes that affect how you process medicines, and in the UK, results are protected under strict data privacy laws like GDPR.

What PGx Testing Does (and Doesn’t) Look At

A PGx test focuses on a small part of your DNA linked specifically to how your body metabolises medicines such as antidepressants, painkillers, and heart drugs. It doesn’t reveal ancestry information, health risks, or family conditions. You can’t be cloned, and your personal medical history isn’t exposed.

Data Protection and Privacy in the UK

In the UK, PGx testing must follow GDPR rules and strict data protection standards. At AttoPGx, your cheek swab is processed securely in accredited labs, and results are only shared with the healthcare team involved in your care. Your data is never sold or used for unrelated purposes.

Safe to Use, With Professional Oversight

While you can order a PGx test privately, the results are intended for medical interpretation. That means a healthcare professional should always be the one to apply the findings to your treatment. This ensures you get safe, accurate, and effective prescribing decisions.

Transcript: Is PGx Testing Safe?

Pharmacogenetic or PGx testing is completely safe—and your personal information stays protected.

The test only looks at a small part of your DNA, linked specifically to how you process medicines. It doesn’t check for health risks or family conditions… and no, you can’t be cloned.

In the UK, PGx testing must follow strict data protection laws, including GDPR.

At AttoPGx, for example, your sample is processed securely and your results are only shared with the healthcare team involved in your care.

Your genetic data privacy is taken seriously—so you can focus on getting the right treatment, without worrying about your personal information.

While you can buy this test without your Doctor knowing for peace of mind purposes, the results are intended for medical interpretation. That means you would need a healthcare practitioner to assess your condition and make any changes to your medication regime.

Good luck and do reach out if you have any questions.

FAQs About PGx Test Safety and Privacy

Q: Is PGx testing safe to do at home?

Yes. The test is a painless cheek swab and does not involve blood, needles, or medical procedures.

Q: Does PGx testing reveal my health risks or family history?

No. PGx testing is not about health risks, ancestry, or predicting illness. It only focuses on genes related to how your body processes medicines.

Q: Is my genetic data protected under UK law?

Yes. In the UK, PGx testing providers must comply with GDPR and other strict data protection rules. AttoPGx ensures that your data is kept secure and used only for your medical care.

Want the benefits of personalised prescribing with complete peace of mind? Order your AttoPGx test kit today and get results you can trust—safely and securely.

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