Hyderabad’s AIG Hospitals has introduced India’s first affordable DNA-based drug testing service aimed at personalising treatment. Priced at just Rs 5,000, the test enables doctors to prescribe medicines tailored to a patient’s unique genetic structure — a significant step towards making precision medicine accessible to the masses. The initiative is expected to reduce the trial-and-error approach often used in prescribing medicines while improving recovery rates and minimising adverse drug reactions.

Revolutionising Drug Response with Science

The test, developed jointly by AIG Hospitals and genomics company GenepoweRx, uses advanced Next-Generation Sequencing technology. A small blood sample of about 2ml is enough to decode the genetic blueprint of an individual. The analysis covers 120 to 190 genes that determine how the body processes different drugs used for ailments like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Results are made available in around 12 days and include a customised clinical report with prescription recommendations.​

According to Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals, nearly 30 per cent of patients in their study of 2,000 individuals were found to be taking medicines that were genetically unsuitable for them, leading to poor treatment outcomes. By introducing this affordable test, AIG aims to bring the latest in genomic science into everyday clinical practice and eventually integrate it into public health systems. “If implemented on a national scale, the cost could come down further to Rs 2,000 or Rs 3,000, allowing every citizen to have a lifelong digital genomic record,” Dr Reddy said.​

Bringing Precision Medicine to Indian Patients

This move marks a decisive shift from traditional prescribing patterns to what experts call ‘precision medicine’. The new system accounts for an individual’s genetic traits while deciding the appropriate medication and dosage. Dr Hima Challa, a Harvard-trained genomics specialist, explained that several commonly used medicines work less effectively in the Indian population due to genetic variations. “In the United States, the FDA already mandates genetic biomarker linkage for prescribing many drugs. Localised genomic testing is crucial for India because our population has distinct gene variants that influence drug metabolism,” she said.​

The test not only makes prescription safer but also helps in long-term health management. Since a person’s genetic makeup remains constant throughout life, the test needs to be conducted only once. AIG has integrated the results with its electronic medical record system to help doctors access genomic data instantly while treating patients. This ensures safer and faster treatment decisions supported by real-time information.​

Addressing India’s Unique Genetic Profile

Indian populations show significant genetic differences compared to Western groups, making imported drug response data unreliable. For instance, studies indicate that approximately 20 per cent of Indians have poor-functioning variants of the CYP2C19 enzyme, which affects the metabolism of several prescribed drugs including those for heart conditions and gastric issues. AIG Hospitals’ large-scale analysis factored in these variations by using data from both Indian patients and international biobanks to ensure accurate genetic correlations.​

AIG’s translational medicine department has been conducting genomic research for years, focusing on conditions such as gastrointestinal and liver disorders. The hospital’s collaboration with GenepoweRx builds upon this expertise, combining molecular research with AI-driven analytics through the SIGMA-ML platform. The platform predicts optimal drug responses and integrates them with hospital systems, providing clinicians with scientifically backed recommendations before prescriptions are issued.​

The hospital’s approach also aligns with the growing need for evidence-based personalised medicine in India. By lowering costs and simplifying access, AIG Hospitals and its partners are setting the stage for a broader transformation in Indian healthcare — one where genetics and technology combine to ensure that every medication prescribed is not only effective but also safe for the person consuming it.​

If adopted widely, this homegrown innovation could place India among the global frontrunners in precision medicine, making advanced genetic testing not a luxury, but a part of routine healthcare for everyone.

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