Generating solutions

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and hospitalization in the world. In  Canada 80,000 people died in 2010 of cardiovascular disease, which accounts for 35  per cent of all deaths in the country. Currently, 1.3 million Canadians suffer from  cardiovascular disease, causing a serious economic burden. The cost is estimated to  $22.2 billion per year, which constitutes the highest direct healthcare costs.

The team led by Drs. Jean­Claude Tardif and Marie­Pierre Dubé are applying their  expertise in how genes influence drug efficacy and toxicity to provide guidance to health  professionals in the selection and dosing of a specific drug. This will improve patient  care, reduce harmful side effects and lower health care costs by reducing the use of  ineffective drugs and unnecessary spending by healthcare payers.