Medical practice has evolved significantly over the years, particularly in the area of diagnosis. Traditionally, diagnosis has relied on a multi-step process involving a patient’s history and conducting physical examinations to aid in effective recovery. Yet, while diagnostic tools and knowledge have advanced, some still rely on the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach to treatment.
In areas where resources and health outcomes are stretched thin, this approach may no longer be sustainable. It is this dilemma that catalyzed a paradigm shift toward precision medicine—a new model of healthcare that seeks to deliver the right treatment to the right patient at the right time, guided by their unique biology.
A multifaceted approach
No two people are identical, so why should their treatments be? Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-dela Paz, executive director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), highlights that a “one-size-fits-all” approach is not always safe or effective. Precision medicine flips this model because it does not merely rely on a patient’s symptoms and general medical history. It also takes into account the patient’s genetic makeup, environmental exposures, and lifestyle of patients to guide diagnosis.
This individualized model is made possible through a collection of “omics” technologies, which measure biological molecules within a patient’s cells or tissues. Transcriptomics, for instance, analyzes RNA transcripts to understand gene activity. By employing these technologies, medical professionals can refine diagnoses and save resources by minimizing the need for unnecessary tests and treatments.
Consider a patient with hypertension or high blood pressure: standard practice may begin with a common drug, then if ineffective, a change in dosage or another drug may be prescribed. This trial-and-error method can be risky, especially for patients with allergies or sensitivities to certain medications. Precision medicine offers a more rational, targeted path forward.
Present landscape and barriers
The impact of precision medicine is already evident in oncology, the study of cancer treatment and diagnosis. Cutiongco-de la Paz explains that for cancer patients, “they get a sample of the tissue of the tumor. They do genetic studies to look at what we call the genomic profile. And then, there are [medicines] that can be targeted to such tumor profiles.”
Despite some initial applications of precision medicine in the country, several barriers hinder its implementation. The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) cites the lack of molecular laboratories, which limits access to these advanced diagnostics.
Cutiongco-de la Paz clarifies that this gap also exists largely due to the need for genetic testing in the approach. “If you don’t have the test, how will you know [the patient’s genetic profile]? You cannot use your naked eye to look at the genetic profile,” she reasons. Incorporating genetic tests improves diagnosis by identifying hereditary conditions, predicting disease risk, personalizing prevention, and guiding medication responses.
Furthermore, the costs of the tests pose another significant barrier. The PCHRD believes this “may discourage the clinics from offering them and for clinicians and patients from affording them.” Cutiongco-de la Paz cites the NIH’s Institute for Human Genetics as an example. Although the organization offers tests for hemoglobinopathies—genetic blood diseases—she admits that most samples are sent abroad to laboratories in the US, Singapore, or Germany.
Toward more personalized healthcare
Despite the roadblocks ahead, Cutiongco-de la Paz remains hopeful for the progress of precision medicine in the Philippines. She stresses that the country must prioritize “[building] the infrastructure, the national capacity, capability, and expertise in this area, which will all be crucial to the full implementation and realization of precision medicine in a limited resource setting like the Philippines.”
Encouragingly, there have been significant steps. In 2019, the Philippine Genome Center expanded into Visayas and Mindanao, signaling a crucial step toward the adoption of precision medicine beyond urban areas. “Given the proper support,” the PCHRD reckons, “they could evolve into leading hubs for precision medicine as well, leveraging modern technologies to develop targeted therapies and treatment strategies.”
In tandem, efforts are also underway to form a “Filipino reference genome” through the establishment of the FILIPINOme initiative, a project helmed by Cutiongco-de la Paz. This will serve as a national precision medicine database.
The PCHRD sees digitization as a key element to this transition, especially in managing patient data. Alongside this, the PCHRD highlighted the relevance of learning from neighboring countries, investing in advanced technologies, and fostering collaboration across various sectors. Public awareness, too, is a critical step toward the successful implementation of precision medicine.
For Cutiongco-de la Paz, a precision medicine-centric healthcare system would work best for the Philippines, even in a resource- and technologically-restrained system. “You don’t [want to] waste precious resources on treatment that clearly [does] not work, right? That’s not rational,” she presumes.
The road to precision medicine is long and fraught with obstacles, from infrastructure gaps to affordability. Still, its potential to reshape healthcare is undeniable. With coordinated support and development, precision medicine offers more than hope; it presents a great opportunity to rewrite the future of healthcare.
In a country where every peso and life count, settling for less than effective care should never be the standard.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s Vanguard Special 2025. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSVanguardSpecial2025.
