OBJECTIVES: The growing recognition that Pharmacogenetics (PGx) testing has the potential to boost patients' confidence in the safety and efficacy of their medications, raises the question of who will pay for these tests. This study assesses the willingness of patients with diabetes to undertake and pay for PGx testing and to explore important factors that influence decision-making.

METHODS: A survey invitation link was posted on a Facebook page dedicated to diabetes. A contingent valuation was performed to evaluate the monetary value of benefits that might be offered by testing. Participants’ willingness to pay (WTP) for PGx testing was gauged in three hypothetical scenarios, scenario1: PGx testing is currently available to improve the selection and dosage of your medications; scenario2: in addition to scenario1, PGx testing might reveal your susceptibility to future diseases; scenario3: in addition to scenario1and 2, PGx may reveal that you may not respond, or respond negatively, to the only drugs available. Logistic regression and OLS models were implemented to assess the relationship between demographics characteristics and WTP amount

RESULTS: One hundred and thirty participants (40% males, 60% females) completed the survey. Almost 73%, 85%, 90% were interested in PGx testing in scenario 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Average WTP was $61.5, $78.4, $73.2 for scenario 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Older participants, participants with higher incomes, and those with low education attainment reported higher WTP in all scenarios. Further, male and uninsured participants were prepared to pay more for PGx testing only in scenario 2 and 3. Attitudes towards PGx testing was significantly (p<0.05) associated with WTP in scenario 1 and 2

CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic patients were willing to undergo and pay for PGx testing, suggesting that not all medications exhibit desirable therapeutic effects. The encouraging findings reveal that some patients find valuable clinical utility in PGx testing.