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The MHRA has launched a new investigation into how a person’s genetic makeup influences their risk of being hospitalised after taking GLP-1 injections for weight loss or diabetes. 

Launched yesterday (June 26), the new phase of the Yellow Card Biobank drive wants to hear from patients who have been hospitalised with acute pancreatitis after taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro. 

The announcement comes as the medicines watchdog revealed that 10 deaths have been linked to pancreatitis after using these drugs, although a firm causal link has not yet been established. 

Hundreds more GLP-1 users have been hospitalised with pancreatitis, and the MHRA wants to hear from them to learn more about their individual circumstances and obtain a saliva sample that will be used to assess whether some people are at higher risk of these side effects due to their genetic makeup. 

MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said: “Evidence shows that almost a third of side effects to medicines could be prevented with the introduction of genetic testing.

“It is predicted that adverse drug reactions cost the NHS more than £2.2bn a year in hospital stays alone.”

Patients who do not meet the criteria for the biobank study are still encouraged to report any GLP-1 side effects to the Yellow Card website, Dr Cave stressed.

Professor Matt Brown of Genomics England 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 having 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.”

On Monday, Mounjaro became available on primary care prescription for specific patient groups.