WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- Walgreens says it won't sell the Pathway Genomics genetic test kit until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves over-the-counter sales.
Walgreens, the nation's largest drugstore chain, Wednesday postponed plans to sell the saliva test, which promises to analyze a person's DNA to assess risk for breast cancer, heart attacks and other diseases.
The FDA and San Diego's Pathways are in talks over whether the test can be sold legally without the agency's authorization, The Washington Post reported Thursday.
"We've elected not to move forward with offering the Pathway product to our customers until we have further clarity on this matter," Walgreens spokesman Jim Cohn said.
The Genetic Alliance, an advocacy and research group, said Walgreens was acting in the best interests of consumers to assure safety in the growing field of genetic testing.
"The FDA, for its part, must be the guardian of safety and efficacy, all the while encouraging innovation and the benefits that genetics can bring to medicine," alliance spokeswoman Sharon Terry said.
