Knowledge and perceptions of pharmacogenomics among pharmacists in Manitoba, Canada

Abstract

Objective: This work was designed to describe the knowledge and perceptions of pharmacogenomics (PGx) among pharmacists in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Methods: A 40-item, web-based survey was distributed to pharmacists in Manitoba. Results: Of 74 participants, one third had some education or training in PGx, and 12.2% had used PGx test results in their practice. Participants’ self-rated knowledge of PGx testing and common PGx resources (e.g., Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base, Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium) was low. Most pharmacists surveyed believe that PGx can improve medication efficacy (82.4%) or prevent adverse drug reactions (81.1%). Most (91%) desired more education on PGx. Conclusion: Manitoba pharmacists reported positive perceptions toward PGx. However, they are currently underprepared to implement PGx into practice.

Tweetable abstract

Manitoba pharmacists report positive perceptions toward pharmacogenomics (PGx). However, they are currently underprepared to implement PGx into practice, as evidenced by low self-rated knowledge of PGx and limited awareness of common PGx resources.

Keywords: :

• knowledge
• perception
• pharmacists
• pharmacogenetics
• pharmacogenomics
• pharmacy
• pharmacy education
• pharmacy practice
• precision medicine

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.tandfonline.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/pgs-2024-0013

Author contributions

A Maruf: conceptualization, methodology, data curation, overall supervision, writing, review and editing; M Shields: methodology, data curation, formal analysis, writing of first draft; A Fryza: methodology and survey administration; A Wondrasek: methodology and survey administration; C Leong: writing, review and editing; K Kowalec: writing, review and editing; C Bousman: methodology, writing, review and editing. All authors accept responsibility for the entire contents of this work and approved its submission.

Financial disclosure

A Maruf’s research program is supported by the University of Manitoba College of Pharmacy. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Competing interests disclosure

C Bousman is the founder of Sequence2Script Inc. The authors have no other competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

This study was approved by the University of Manitoba Health Research Ethics Board (HS25490 [H2022:161]). Informed implied consent was collected from participants via their agreement to read a brief “consent disclosure” statement regarding the purpose of the study.