Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Pharmacogenetics of Pharmacists in the Netherlands: A National Online Survey Study

Pharmacogenetics is considered a promising method to improve pharmacotherapy, yet its implementation in clinical practice is hampered, limiting its potential benefits to the public. Previously, its uptake has been investigated within a variety of healthcare professional groups. Commonly cited barriers by prescribing physicians are lack of knowledge and insurance coverage. An important occupational group who may support physicians due to their expert knowledge are pharmacists. However, they have been understudied in research on pharmacogenetics implementation thus far. Therefore, we investigated the experience and attitudes of pharmacists regarding pharmacogenetics using an online questionnaire.

Using Qualtrics software, an online survey was distributed nationally from April 1st to December 1st 2024. Respondents were recruited during a national conference organized by the Dutch pharmacy residents, through email-invites, and via newsletters of national pharmacist-associations.

In total, data of n = 281 respondents were analyzed in the study, the majority of which were working professionals (±15.8 years of experience). Although only 44.4% had ever requested a pharmacogenetic test, 88.6% of respondents had experience with test result interpretation. Cost, lack of reimbursement through insurance, and lack of availability of pharmacogenetic guidelines including clinical evidence, were found as key barriers. Importantly, respondents generally felt confident regarding their own pharmacogenetics-related knowledge and skills, while maintaining caution in situations where pharmacogenetic evidence is limited.

Successful adoption of pharmacogenetics in practice may benefit from interprofessional collaboration, expanding the pharmacogenetics evidence base, and prioritizing pharmacogenetics in updated health policy.