The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7456 p697
16 June 2007

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Pharmacogenetic testing by pharmacists envisaged

Pharmacists should be able to deliver pharmacogenetic tests in the future, a scoping meeting has included. The meeting in London last week was organised by the National Genetics Education and Development Centre (NGEDC), in conjunction with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The pharmacy service would include providing basic information, collecting some sample types (eg, buccal swabs) and conveying the results of simple tests to patients.

The meeting involved representatives from the National Pharmacy Association, the Company Chemists’ Association and the Co-operative Group Pharmacy, as well as industry and academia.

In addition, most representatives thought that, within agreed limits, pharmacists could, in terms of pharmacogenetic testing, be responsible for prescribing and advising, monitoring and reviewing the treatment prescribed, recording results and educating the public and health care professionals.

A detailed report from the NGEDC is expected in the autumn and will be available at www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk. A report of the meeting will be published in The Journal shortly.