She asserts that for some people drugs create side-effects, some experience no effect and some just get well. Why are the reactions so different?

Krebs says that critical acquisition of the drug depends on an individual’s genetics. Certain genetic proteins influence the drug’s absorption.

If a person’s genetic dissolution of a drug is quick-acting (it stays in the blood for a very short period), the effect of the drug is minimal or none. If it is slow-acting, it creates side effects.

If normal, the drug does what it is meant to do. Pharmaceutical companies create drugs for people within a so-called “normal range”.

Thus it would be necessary to study the drug’s effeciveness in the blood (i.e. to the genetic profile) of a particular person and either apply drugs that are better suited for certain type of people or change the strength or dosage, etc.

Summary translation by Aime Andra