Sustainable Funding for Genetic Testing in the Province of British Columbia

Funding strategies for providing genetic testing in the province of British Columbia are examined, including alternate forms of publicly funding the B.C. Molecular Genetics Laboratory (MGL), privatization of the MGL, and outsourcing of testing to private laboratories. Demand scenarios are constructed and costs of supplying genetic testing estimated for different scenarios. Public funding of MGL is more efficient at providing genetic tests in all scenarios except the most optimistic private funding scenario. Funding MGL through public funds using at least a partial per-test funding strategy provides B.C. with reasonably priced genetic testing for the near future, an internal source of genetic test provision and development, and capacity to expand and provide genetic testing to clients inside and outside B.C. All of these contribute to the benefit of the people and province of British Columbia while operating in a fiscally and medically prudent manner.