The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Genomics England have launched and investigation into whether a person may have a greater risk of developing acute pancreatitis from weight loss drugs because of their genetic makeup.

This is part of the Yellow Card Biobank, which aims to advance personalised medicine by identifying genetic traits that might increase the risk of serious side effects. The Yellow Card Biobank is the largest initiative of its kind in the UK, and is part of a wider strategy to reduce adverse drug reactions, which is currently responsible for one in six hospital admissions.

By identifying genetic markers linked to side effects, the MHRA hopes to enable rapid screening tests to allow clinicians to prescribe the safest and most effective medicines for each individual.

Acute pancreatitis, although rare, is a serious condition linked to GLP-1 medicines, such as Ozempic. Symptoms include severe stomach pain radiating to the back, and patients who experience this while taking these drugs should report it via the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme.

Additionally, healthcare professionals are also being asked to report suspected cases and help recruit participants for the study. Once a Yellow Card is submitted, the MHRA will contact patients to request participation in the Biobank to hep researchers determine whether genetic factors contribute to the risk of pancreatitis.

Chief scientific officer at Genomics England, Professor Matt Brown, commented: “GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have been making headlines, but like all medicines there can be a risk of serious side effects. We believe there is real potential to minimise these with many adverse reactions have a genetic cause.

“This next step in our partnership with the MHRA will generate data and evidence for safer and more effective treatment through more personalised approaches to prescription, supporting a shift towards an increasingly prevention-focused healthcare system.”