All about iMPROVE?
Everyone responds to medicines differently, and iMPROVE is a research project designed to understand why. By combining a short medication review by a pharmacist or doctor, with a one‑off genetic test, the project aims to help you get the right medicines at the right dose for your body.
What does iMPROVE entail?
If you take part in iMPROVE, you’ll join a six‑month programme focused on the medicines that you currently take.
A clinician from your GP practice will review your medicines with you, agree a medication plan, and – if appropriate – offer a simple genetic test that helps understand how your body responds to different medicines.
Your clinician will guide you through each part of the process. By taking part in IMPROVE, you are helping us make healthcare safer, more efficient and more effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
iMPROVE plans to continue to embed the Medication review: 7-Steps to appropriate Polypharmacy as introduced by the successful iSIMPATHY project and incorporate scientific innovation into medication review through pharmacogenomic testing.
Your medicines will only change if you and your clinician agree it’s the best and safest option for you.
The genetic test will only be offered it is suitable for you and your body. It involves giving a small blood or saliva sample.
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how your genes affect the way your body responds to medicines. It’s a combination of two words: pharmacology (the science of drugs) and genomics (the study of genes and how they work).
Just like people have different eye colours or blood types, we also have genetic differences that affect how our bodies process medications. These differences can influence whether a medicine works well for you, causes side effects, or doesn’t work at all.
There are very low risks, and your care will continue to follow the same safety standards as routine GP care. You can talk to your clinician about your individual risks at any time, and stop your participation at any point.
Yes. iMPROVE clinicians work within primary care settings, your GP will be kept informed about your care. Your data will only be shared with your consent.
This study is GDPR compliant. More information on the University's Research GDPR Policy can be found here.
Around 10,000 people across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland will take part in iMPROVE.
The iMPROVE study is being led by experienced healthcare professionals and academics working within universities and GP practices, in partnership with health services across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland.
What does iMPROVE aim to achieve?
- Support 10,000 people with their medication.
- Train local healthcare teams to care in a different way.
- Measure the benefits to the patient.
- Help address health inequalities
- Report on whether this new approach is equitable, accessible, and sustainable.
- Help people to feel better and miss less work by focusing on mental health and pain.
Who is undertaking this study?
From medicines optimisation leadership to academic innovation and health system delivery, the iMPROVE project draws on deep knowledge across policy, practice and research. These partners come from across three jurisdictions:
Contact us
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A PeacePlus project
The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) through provision of a grant up to €10.1m.
