Pharmacists may play a key role in applying pharmacogenetic discoveries to patient care.
Application of pharmacogenetic discoveries requires knowledge and understanding of the disposition and pharmacodynamics of drugs. Additionally, a good understanding of clinical factors that can influence pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs is also important in the effective application of pharmacogenetic discoveries to patient care.
Because pharmacists are experts in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, they can take a lead in application of pharmacogenetics in clinical practice. For example, NACB draft guidelines suggest that pharmacists may be engaged in interpreting pharmacogenetic testing results. In addition, some experts have suggested that pharmacists need access to patients’ genetic information in order to provide individualized pharmaceutical care before they fill prescriptions.
Although such involvement would require regulations and systems that secure and maintain patient confidentiality, the application of pharmacogenetics in clinical practice presents an opportunity where pharmacists can expand their roles in the genomic era. ~Medscape.com~
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