Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Concerning Pharmacogenomics among Pharmacists: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Pharmacists are furnished with expert drug knowledge and have been considered as valuable resource of drug information, therefore, are well positioned to play a leading role in the application of pharmacogenomics (PG) in to clinical practice. This might prevent Chemotherapy related adverse events and improve patient outcomes, despite the ethical, privacy concerns and potential implications of lifelong genetic-data. Methods: This review is to evaluate and digest the various studies on Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice concerning pharmacogenomics among pharmacists and to suggest future research areas. 13 English published studies from 2004 to 2014 were selected. Studies involving Pharmacists of different area of practice and covering research from different continents were selected. Only studies on attitudes, knowledge and practice concerning pharmacogenetics among pharmacists from 2004 to 2014, and research articles published in English were selected. Non-research articles, studies done on general public; studies conducted among other healthcare professionals; studies on genetics of diseases or toxicogenetics were excluded. Results: Knowledge and practice regarding pharmacogenetics among pharmacists were poor despite good attitudes. There was knowledge advancement from 38% in 2005 to more than 50% 2013 in some countries. Some barriers to adoption of pharmacogenomics into patient care and interventional recommendations were highlighted. Conclusion: there is an urgent call for additional training of Pharmacogenomics among pharmacists and to incorporate pharmacogenomics into curriculum of pharmacy schools. Pharmacists and future pharmacists should be trained on how to critically evaluate the use, efficacy, and safety of available pharmacogenetic testing.

Knowledge, perceptions and confidence of physicians and pharmacists towards pharmacogenetics practice in Kuwait

“…In contrast, higher knowledge (ranging from 53% to 89%) was reported by prior studies from the USA during the period from 2010 to 2013 [16]. The present findings revealed no significant difference in the level of knowledge among physicians and pharmacists: this is similar to that reported in Qatar [24].…”

“…Most of these studies were conducted in the USA [7,16,19–22] and few studies have been performed in Canada, Australia, Europe and Africa [16,23]. Yet, little is known about similar outcomes in the Eastern Mediterranean region: to date, only one study has been published, in Qatar [24].…”

Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceptions of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Students towards Pharmacogenomics in Zimbabwe

“…Pharmacists in Zimbabwe have limited-to-fair knowledge and awareness of the PGx as highlighted in this study—a scenario not unique to Zimbabwe only or pharmacists but is a global concern across most healthcare professionals as shown by various studies in other LMICs whereby below-average knowledge of PGx was noted [ 14 , 18 , 19 ]. As a result, in Ghana PGx is now taught in some training institutions and as continuing education for doctors and pharmacists [ 14 ].…”

Knowledge, Awareness and Attitude of Pharmacists toward Pharmacogenetic Practice: Perspective of Community and Hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

“…In the community setting, the internal CPD also may predict the pharmacists' knowledge and the outpatient's service hour could predict pharmacist' attitude. Previous study stated that some characteristics like sex, age, level of education type of service and the intensity of CPD [16][17][18]. Roeder et al showed that pharmacists with Pharm D degree had better knowledge than the lower degree [17].…”