Pharmacogenomics, the fusion of pharmacology and genomics, shows strong potential to solve many of today’s dosing problems. lnter-patient dosing requirements, mainly due to genetic variability between patients, represent significant challenges for prescribers. Certain receptors, drug-targeted proteins, drug-transport mechanisms and drug-metabolizing enzymes are genetically established. Hence, any defect, absence or abnormality in the gene could alter how an affected individual will respond to a given drug. Due to advancements in technology, health care professionals who utilize pharmacogenomics may assess a patient’s genetic profile and determine a predicted response to specific medications. This may result in potentially optimal dosing at the onset or treatment rather than going through a trial-and-error process that could take many months. Despite the recent developments in pharmacogenomics, several barriers must be crossed before the benefits of individualized medicine can be fully appreciated and widespread. Some of these barriers involve limited knowledge, testing and heated ethical debates. This article provides an overview of pharmacogenomics for the pharmacist.
