Pharmacogenetics: has the time come for pharmacists to embrace and implement the science?

• Published in: The Consultant pharmacist Vol. 28; no. 11; p. 696
• Main Authors: Beier, Manju T, Panchapagesan, Madhumitha, Carman, Ladd E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2013
• Subjects: Drug Labeling; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Pharmaceutical Preparations - administration & dosage; Pharmaceutical Preparations - metabolism; Pharmaceutical Services - organization & administration; Pharmacists - organization & administration; Pharmacogenetics - methods; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Professional Role; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration; United States; Cytochrome P450 enzymes; Pharmacogenetics; Evidence-based guidelines; APhA = American Pharmacists Association; BRAF = V-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B; Genotype; PCI = Percutaneous coronary intervention; RCT = Randomized Controlled Trial; DPD = Dihydropyrimidinedehydrogenase; UGT = Uridine 5’-diphosphoglucuronosyltransferase; NIH = National Institutes of Health; Clinical utility; Phenotype; HER2 = Human epidermal growth factor 2; CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; FDA = Food and Drug Administration; NHGRI = National Human Genome Research Institute; TPMT = Thiopurine S-methyltransferase; CYP450 = Cytochrome P450; HIPAA = Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; Human Genome Project; Metabolizer; Pharmacogenomics; Polymorphism
• ISSN: 2331-0936
• DOI: 10.4140/TCP.n.2013.696

Pharmacogenetics--the study of interindividual differences in medication response as a result of genetic variations--has emerged as a potentially useful tool for individualizing medication regimens for patients. Genetic variations can affect drug disposition inseveral ways, from modifying receptor sensitivities to impacting drug metabolism. Over the last several years, the Food and Drug Administration has been steadily including pharmacogenetic information in drug labeling for several commonly prescribed drugs. Several organizations are attempting to provide evidence-based guidelines for widespread implementation and interpretation. Pharmacists, armed with knowledge of drug metabolism pathways and drug-gene interactions, are uniquely positioned to play an active role in the education, provision, and clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics.