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Abanmy NO, Alghamdi SA, Aljudaie RK, Almohammed OA. Clinical pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, perception, and beliefs about the role of pharmacogenetic testing for genes polymorphisms when prescribing mercaptopurine. Saudi Pharm J 2024; 32:102022. [PMID: 38497085 PMCID: PMC10940172 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2024.102022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding proteins involved in mercaptopurine metabolism can influence drug efficacy and safety. This study aims to assess clinical pharmacists' knowledge about mercaptopurine-related genes and their polymorphisms and investigate their attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs about the need for and importance of pharmacogenetic testing for mercaptopurine. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among oncology/hematology clinical pharmacists in Saudi Arabia using an online-questionnaire developed by experts in the field. The questionnaire consists of four-sections exploring clinical pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs about the importance of gene testing and genes polymorphism when prescribing mercaptopurine. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data in the study. Results A total of 41 oncology/hematology clinical pharmacists responded to the survey invitation. Almost half of them had more than 10 years of work experience, but only 17 % of them received formal training in pharmacogenetics. The overall level of knowledge about pharmacogenetics among participants was low, with a mean score of 2.8 points (1.7) out of 8 items. However, around 76 % agreed that it is important to perform pharmacogenetic screening prior to prescribing mercaptopurine, and almost 93 % state that it will influence their dosage recommendation. Most of the participants had a good perception (95.1 %) of their role in genetic testing for medication selection, dosing, and monitoring; however, about 10 % of surveyed pharmacists reported not being completely responsible about recommending pharmacogenetic testing. The surveyed pharmacists had a good belief in the importance of pharmacogenetic testing and their overall attitude was positive toward the use of pharmacogenetic testing, with emphasis on the importance of training on the proper assessment and interpretation of pharmacogenetic tests. Conclusions Pharmacists demonstrated good perception and positive attitude toward pharmacogenetic testing, despite the low level of knowledge and limited formal training. Thus, more attention to developing national guidelines on pharmacogenetic testing is warranted to ensure successful pharmacogenetic testing implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah O. Abanmy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sara A. Alghamdi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raneem K. Aljudaie
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar A. Almohammed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmacoeconomics Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Rahma AT, Abdullahi AS, Graziano G, Elbarazi I. The attitude and behaviors of the different spheres of the community of the United Arab Emirates toward the clinical utility and bioethics of secondary genetic findings: a cross-sectional study. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:98. [PMID: 37932866 PMCID: PMC10626730 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00548-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Genome sequencing has utility, however, it may reveal secondary findings. While Western bioethicists have been occupied with managing secondary findings, specialists' attention in the Arabic countries has not yet been captured. We aim to explore the attitude of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population toward secondary findings. METHOD We conducted a cross-sectional study between July and December 2022. The validated questionnaire was administered in English. The questionnaire consists of six sections addressing topics such as demographics, reactions to hypothetical genetic test results, disclosure of mutations to family members, willingness to seek genetic testing, and attitudes toward consanguinity. Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were used to investigate associations between categorical variables. RESULTS We had 343 participants of which the majority were female (67%). About four-fifths (82%) were willing to know the secondary findings, whether the condition has treatment or not. The most likely action to take among the participants was to know the secondary findings, so they can make life choices (61%). CONCLUSION These results can construct the framework of the bioethics of disclosing secondary findings in the Arab regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azhar T Rahma
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, UAE.
| | - Aminu S Abdullahi
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, UAE
| | | | - Iffat Elbarazi
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, UAE
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Haga SB. The Critical Role of Pharmacists in the Clinical Delivery of Pharmacogenetics in the U.S. PHARMACY 2023; 11:144. [PMID: 37736916 PMCID: PMC10514841 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy11050144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the rebirth of pharmacogenomics (PGx) in the 1990s and 2000s, with new discoveries of genetic variation underlying adverse drug response and new analytical technologies such as sequencing and microarrays, there has been much interest in the clinical application of PGx testing. The early involvement of pharmacists in clinical studies and the establishment of organizations to support the dissemination of information about PGx variants have naturally resulted in leaders in clinical implementation. This paper presents an overview of the evolving role of pharmacists, and discusses potential challenges and future paths, primarily focused in the U.S. Pharmacists have positioned themselves as leaders in clinical PGx testing, and will prepare the next generation to utilize PGx testing in their scope of practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne B Haga
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Duke University, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Makrygianni D, Koufaki MI, Patrinos GP, Vasileiou KZ. Pharmacy students' attitudes and intentions of pursuing postgraduate studies and training in pharmacogenomics and personalised medicine. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:27. [PMID: 36959668 PMCID: PMC10035981 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00474-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacists' contribution to pharmacogenomics (PGx) implementation in clinical practice is vital, but a great proportion of them are not aware of PGx and its applications. This highlights the university education's crucial role to prepare pharmacists to face future challenges in such a constantly evolving and demanding environment. OBJECTIVES Our study aims to examine pharmacy students' training satisfaction, knowledge, self-confidence and attitudes towards PGx on their intentions for postgraduate training in PGx and personalised medicine (PM). METHODS An initial model on students' intention to pursue postgraduate training in PGx and PM and its predicting factors, based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), was proposed. Based on it, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to 346 pharmacy students of all study years, capturing the selected factors influencing students' intentions to postgraduate training in PGx and PM, as well as their demographics. Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was employed to determine the effects of both the examined factors and demographics on students' intentions. RESULTS Students did not consider themselves adequately prepared for using PGx in clinical practice. Their attitudes towards PGx implementation were the most important factor influencing their intentions to pursue postgraduate training in PGx and PM. Other factors such as self-confidence and training satisfaction also affected students' intentions, but to a lower extent. Students of the last two study years (40% of the whole sample) and male (36%) students stated to be less willing to pursue PGx-related studies in the future. Only 10% of the participants claimed to have undergone a recent PGx or genetic test, but this did not affect their intentions. CONCLUSION There is an important gap in pharmacy school curriculum regarding PGx and PM training which coupled with the slow rate of PGx and PM implementation into clinical practice seems to restrain students' aspiration to further expand their knowledge and horizons in terms of PGx and PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Makrygianni
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras School of Health Sciences, University Campus, 26504, Patras, Greece
| | - Margarita-Ioanna Koufaki
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras School of Health Sciences, University Campus, 26504, Patras, Greece
| | - George P Patrinos
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras School of Health Sciences, University Campus, 26504, Patras, Greece
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Konstantinos Z Vasileiou
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras School of Health Sciences, University Campus, 26504, Patras, Greece.
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Naimat F, Fahrni ML, Purushothaman S, Abdul Ghani MN, Chumnumwat S, Babar ZUD. Community pharmacists’ perceived value on precision medicine, desired training components, and exposure during pharmacy education: Malaysia’s experience. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:978141. [PMID: 36238562 PMCID: PMC9552318 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.978141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Precision medicine beckons new horizons for therapy geared to one’s genetics, lifestyle, and environmental determinants. Molecular, pathology, and clinical diagnostics can be integrated to provide pharmaceutical care.Aims: The value and appeal of precision medicine to community pharmacists, knowledge attained, and training programmes perceived as necessary were evaluated.Methods: Over 10 months, a published questionnaire, which was also digitally accessible during the COVID-19 outbreak, was distributed by hand, via email and social media. 300 community pharmacists across 9 districts in an urban state in Malaysia, self-administered and returned completed versions (response rate 75%). Three- or five-point Likert scale and multiple-choice responses were analysed using SPSS to assess whether or not exposure through the pharmacy curricula impacted current knowledge, perception and willingness to pursue precision medicine.Results: Respondents were largely: females (N = 196, 65.3%) and practicing for up to 10 years (N = 190, 66.3%). Although knowledge levels were moderate (76%), positive perceptions were showcased (94%), and 80% were willing to integrate precision medicine into their daily practice. Although 61% did not or do not recall having had prior exposure to pharmacogenomics as part of their pharmacy school curricula, many (93%) were willing to attain knowledge by undergoing additional training. Desired training included current pharmacogenetic testing available (17%), interpretation of the test results (15%), and ethical considerations (13%). Community pharmacists who had 0.5–10 years’ work experience possessed greater knowledge (μ = 1.48, CI 1.35–1.61, p = 0.017), than the pharmacists who had 21–40 years of work experience (μ = 1.28, CI 1.05–1.51, p = 0.021). Exposure to the subject during pharmacy education positively impacted the willingness to integrate precision medicine in daily practice (p = 0.035).Conclusion: Community pharmacists were receptive to and valued precision medicine. A relatively high number had prior exposure to concepts of precision medicine through the pharmacy curriculum, and were therefore willing to adopt the practice in their day-to-day provision of healthcare. With adequate training centred on bioethics, utilising pharmacogenetic testing, and interpretation of the results, community pharmacists will be equipped for the provision of precision medicine services in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Naimat
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- School of Pharmacy, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia
| | - Mathumalar Loganathan Fahrni
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- Collaborative Drug Discovery Research (CDDR) Group, Communities of Research (Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Mathumalar Loganathan Fahrni,
| | - Shankar Purushothaman
- School of Pharmacy, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia
- Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Shah Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Supatat Chumnumwat
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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