Report: Walgreens to offer genetic test kits

DEERFIELD, Ill. Walgreens soon will begin selling genetic test kits that may help customers learn more about their risk levels for various diseases, according to a report Monday in The New York Times.

The tests, which measure genetic markers for such potential conditions as diabetes and cancer, are marketed by Pathway Genomics. The company said its test kits likely will be sold in many of Walgreens’ more than 7,500 drug stores, the Times reported.

The DNA tests are based on patients’ saliva samples, according to the report, and will be conducted by outside laboratories. Users will pay as much as $250 or more for the Pathway sample kit sold in the stores and a full set of lab analyses, according to the report.