PSWE-01 - Precision pharmacy: Unleashing the power of pharmacogenetics in community pharmacy for optimal chronic patient care

Ballroom East
Organised by the FIP Community Pharmacy Section in collaboration with the FIP Hospital Pharmacy Section

Chair(s)

Dr Mohamed Elsabakhawi, Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada

Introduction

Pharmacogenetics, the study of genetic variations related to medicine response, plays an important role in chronic patient treatment. This response is related to the activity and/or expression of enzymes and transporters involved in metabolism. Integrating pharmacogenetic information into community practice offers several benefits like: 

  • Pharmacists choose medicines that are more likely to be effective and have fewer adverse effects for individuals.
  • Dose adjustments may encourage patients to adhere to their medication regimens more closely.
  • Pharmacists can educate patients about the benefits of pharmacogenetic testing and its implications on treatment.
  • Collaborating with physicians and other healthcare providers ensures that the results are integrated into the patient’s overall care plan.
  • Incorporating pharmacogenetic information into community pharmacy practice requires a multidisciplinary approach and a commitment to ongoing education and collaboration with other healthcare professionals.

It´s essential to understand potential regulatory issues and legal strategies in different countries for the collection, storage and use of patients´ genetic information, as well as legal frameworks for data transfer between healthcare providers and community pharmacists. Regulations in some jurisdictions also address the validation of the precision and reproducibility of genetic tests, facilitating more personalized and effective treatment strategies for patients with chronic diseases.

Programme

 

11:00 – 11:05 Introduction by chair
11:05 – 11:35 Pharmacogenetics and patient safety. How personalizing treatments can be a game changer? Implementation of pharmacogenetics service in community pharmacy
Dr María Jesús Rodríguez Arcas, Colegio Oficial Farmacéuticos Murcia, Spain
11:35 – 12:05 Research and guidelines and current landscape of the regulatory framework: best possible care for chronic patients
Prof.Dr John Papastergiou, University of Toronto/University of Waterloo, Canada
12:05 – 12:30 Q&A and conclusions

Learning objectives

  • To understand how community pharmacists can contribute to more personalised and effective treatment strategies for patients with chronic disease.
  • To optimise patient drug-therapy outcomes as part of patient-centered care, collaborating with other healthcare professional.
  • To state the need to stay updated on the latest research and guidelines to provide the best possible care for patients and for their own professional development.

Take home messages

  • Pharmacogenetic guided therapy increases patient access to safe and effective medicine therapy.
  • Community pharmacists can play a crucial role in educating patients about the benefits of pharmacogenetic testing and its implications for their treatment.
  • Pharmacogenetic testing can be considered as a new role for community pharmacists in improving patient health and reducing costs.