Sociodemographic factors and beliefs about medicines in the uptake of pharmacogenomic testing in older adults.

To assess the impact of sociodemographic factors and beliefs about medicines on the uptake of pharmacogenomic testing in older adults in a public healthcare system. Data are based on a sample of 347 primary care older adults. Most respondents (90%) were willing to provide a saliva sample and 47% were willing to pay for it. Increased age (odds ratio: 0.91; p = 0.04) and negative beliefs about the harmfulness of medicines (odds ratio: 0.68; p = 0.02) were associated with a decreased willingness to provide a sample. Lower education (less than university, odds ratio: 0.54; p = 0.04) was associated with a decreased willingness to pay. Education and beliefs about medicines are important factors in the acceptability of pharmacogenomic testing in older adults.