Webinar Recap: How Genetics Shapes the Way We Respond to Drugs

Why does the same medicine work wonders for one person, but cause side effects or no relief for another? The answer lies in our genes. On 9th November 2025, we hosted an insightful webinar on Pharmacogenomics - Your Genes & Your Medicines, led by Dr. Rahul Bhoyar, Senior Scientist & Section Head – Molecular Biology at Karkinos Healthcare.

If you missed it or want to watch it again, here’s the full recording:

🧬 What is Pharmacogenomics? Pharmacogenomics is the science that studies how a person’s genetic makeup affects their response to medications. Our genes control how we absorb, break down, and eliminate medicines - which is why the same drug can:✔ Work perfectly for one person✔ Cause severe side effects in another✔ Not work at all for someone else

💡 Key Takeaways from the Session

Topic	Insight
Why drugs affect people differently	Genetic variations in enzymes (like CYP450) influence drug metabolism and dosage requirements.
Real-life Examples	Blood thinners (warfarin), painkillers, antidepressants, cancer drugs like 5-FU.
Clinical Importance	Pharmacogenomic testing can prevent harmful side effects and failed treatments.
Future of Medicine	Shift from “one-size-fits-all” to truly personalized prescriptions.
Common Questions Answered	Should everyone get tested? Are these tests available in India? What does a DNA test include?

About the Speaker – Dr. Rahul Bhoyar Dr. Rahul leads Molecular Biology at Karkinos Healthcare. His work focuses on bringing genetic discoveries into real-world clinical practice, especially in precision oncology and preventive genomics.