Journal Article Review Epublish
PubMed: 42123011 DOI: 10.3390/jcm15093280
Pharmacogenetics in Community Pharmacy: Global Perspectives and Implementation.
J Clin Med 15(9)
Authors: Kinga Rutkowska, Beata Chełstowska, Urszula Religioni, Mariola Borowska, Adam Kobayashi, Regis Vaillancourt, Artur Białoszewski, Sebastian Sikorski, Zbigniew Doniec, Piotr Bromber, Agnieszka Biala, Krzysztof Kurek, Jakub Pawlikowski, Piotr Merks
Affiliations
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland.
- Department of Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland.
- School of Public Health, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education of Warsaw, 01-813 Warsaw, Poland.
- The Polish Pharmacy Practice Research Network (PPPRN), 00-867 Warsaw, Poland.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland.
- Medical Institute, Academy of Applied Sciences, 34-400 Nowy Targ, Poland.
- University of Medical Sciences, 02-678 Warsaw, Poland.
- Department Social Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland.
Abstract
Pharmaceutical care provides the conceptual foundation for integrating pharmacogenetics into everyday pharmacy practice. Defined by Hepler and Strand as "the responsible provision of drug therapy for the purpose of achieving specific outcomes that improve a patient's quality of life", pharmaceutical care emphasizes a patient-centered approach in which the pharmacist collaborates with the patient, physician, and other healthcare professionals to design, implement, and monitor individualized therapeutic plans. In this context, pharmacogenetics can be regarded as an extension of pharmaceutical care: while the traditional model relies on monitoring patient outcomes and adherence, PGx adds a genetic dimension that allows treatment to be optimized from the very beginning. The pharmacist's role therefore evolves from not only ensuring safe and effective use of medicines, but also interpreting genetic test results, supporting adherence to genetically guided therapy, and educating patients about the implications of their personal genetic profile. The introduction of pharmacogenetics testing as one of the potential services offered by community pharmacies is a promising proposition that may revolutionize the approach to drug therapy. Pharmacogenetics, a subset of pharmacogenomics, focuses on the study of DNA sequence variations that influence response to drugs. Thanks to advances in the field of genomics, it has become possible to study the genetic basis of variability in drug response. The identification of alleles responsible for the rapid or slow metabolism of xenobiotics has ushered in a new era in pharmacology. The aim of this interdisciplinary field, combining genetics and pharmacology, is to adapt treatment to a specific patient based on the analysis of their genome and gene polymorphism. Throughout the world, pharmacogenetics is gaining importance as a tool for personalizing medicine. In countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, programs integrating pharmacogenetics with healthcare are being developed. Clinical trials and the implementation of genetic tests into medical practice allow for better matching of medications and reducing the risk of side effects. Pharmacists will play a key role in integrating pharmacogenetics into healthcare. As specialists in the field of pharmacotherapy, they will support physicians in interpreting the results of genetic tests and adapting drug therapy to the individual needs of the patient. Additionally, pharmacists can educate patients and healthcare professionals about the benefits of pharmacogenetics and monitor the effects and safety of medications. Their involvement in the process of personalization of treatment may contribute to improving the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological therapies.
MeSH
Genes, Genomics, Pharmacogenetics, Safety, Genetics, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Pharmacists, Pharmacy, Drug Therapy, Pharmacology, Physicians, Therapeutics