Pharmacists' perspectives on integrating pharmacogenetics in clinical practice

The successful implementation of pharmacogenetics (PGx) in many developed countries has significantly enhanced personalized care and improved both clinical and financial outcomes. This study was designed to evaluate the current knowledge, prevailing attitudes, and perceived ability of pharmacists to actively participate in the integration of PGx into their practice settings.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among pharmacists in Yemen using convenience sampling. Data was collected through an online-based questionnaire using the Google Forms platform. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were employed.

With a total of 211 participants involved. Most participants held a bachelor's degree in pharmacy (45%, n = 95). Approximately 70% of respondents reported having between one and five years of experience in pharmacy practice. About three-quarters of pharmacists showed high knowledge score regarding PGx (74.4%; 95% CI: 68.47 - 80.34), with overall pharmacists' knowledge score had a median and IQR of 4( 3-5). The score of knowledge exhibited statistical significance in relation to participants' years of professional experience (p = 0.005). Overall, pharmacists expressed positive attitudes toward PGx. The top two challenges reported for the adoption of PGx in practice were "high cost" and "limited availability of tests". Additionally, about 70% agreed that they lacked knowledge about the specific PGx tests required.

Pharmacists exhibit promising attitudes towards PGx. Nevertheless, there is a clear need to reinforce their foundational knowledge and enhance their confidence in the practical application of PGx principles. Effective integration of personalized medicine will necessitate collaborative efforts among key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, academic institutions, and professional pharmacy associations.