Pharmacists will need pharmacogenetics training
Pharmacists of the future will require a much stronger basic training
in the fundamentals of human genetics to have a more defined role in
the application of pharmacogenetics, according to a new report.
“Personalised
medicines: hopes and realities,” was published
by the Royal Society this week. It says that despite a promising future
for prescribing treatments based on patients’ genetic make-up,
its true potential may not become apparent for another 15 to 20 years
because of a lack of research into the subject and a lack of education
for health care professionals.
The report says that, as the role of the community pharmacist changes,
pharmacists are likely to become more involved in pharmacogenetics, including
through medicines management services, promoting safety by detecting
and reporting adverse drug reactions, prescribing medicines and monitoring
clinical outcomes. For example, regarding genetic testing, the report
says that pharmacists could provide basic information, collect some samples
such as buccal swabs, convey results of simple tests to patients and
be responsible for prescribing, advising and monitoring the treatment
prescribed. It notes that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is preparing
guidelines for pharmacists who plan to set up such services.
However, the report emphasises that an educational programme will need
to be developed to train pharmacists and other health professionals in
such testing.
The report also recommends introducing financial incentives to encourage
pharmaceutical companies to work on developing pharmacogenetic drugs.
The report is available from the Royal
Society. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
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