The emerging use of genomic data to inform medication therapy populates the medical literature and provides evidence for guidelines in the prescribing information for many medications. Despite the availability of pharmacogenomic studies, few pharmacists feel competent to utilize these new data in patient care. The first pharmacogenomics competency statement for pharmacists was published in 2002. In 2011, the Pharmacogenomics Special Interest Group of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy led a process to update this competency statement using a consensus-based method that incorporated input from multiple key professional pharmacy organizations to reflect growth in genomic science, as well as the need for pharmacist application of genomic data. Given the rapidly evolving science, educational needs, and practice models in this area, a standardized competency-based approach to pharmacist education and training in pharmacogenomics is needed to equip pharmacists for leadership roles as essential members of healthcare teams that implement clinical utilization strategies for genomic data.
The safety and efficacy of candidate compounds are critical factors during the development of drugs, and most drugs have been withdrawn from the market owing to severe adverse reactions. Individuals/populations with different genetic backgrounds may show significant differences in drug metabolism and efficacy, which can sometimes manifest as severe adverse drug reactions. With an emphasis on the mechanisms underlying abnormal drug effects caused by genetic mutations, pharmacogenetic studies may enhance the safety and effectiveness of drug use, provide more comprehensive delineations of the scope of usage, and change the fates of drugs withdrawn from the market.
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