How community pharmacy pharmacogenomics testing services around the world can inform their design and delivery in the UK

Tim Rendell, Julie Barnett, David Wright

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (SciVal)
91 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction: Pharmacogenomics reduces the need for trial-and-error prescribing, and the chances of adverse reactions, and improves patient outcomes. With the cost of PGx testing falling rapidly, in line with the cost of other testing within the NHS, it is already being deployed by community pharmacists outside the UK.
Aim: To learn from experiences of PGx delivery in community pharmacies in other countries to inform the set up and design of future UK pharmacy services.
Method: A five-stage scoping review methodological framework was deployed. The research question was identified, and the relevant studies were selected from databases, using the search terms “Pharmacogenomics” OR “Pharmacogenetics” AND ‘Community Pharmacy’. A data extraction tool was used to collect the data which was subsequently charted into categories including barriers, enablers, patient orientated outcomes and recommendations for future research. The results were then collated, summarised and reported.
Results: From the 15 papers reviewed, it was noted that community pharmacy based PGx services are becoming increasingly widespread, having been implemented in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands and Cyprus. Enablers for implementation of a PGx testing service in a community pharmacy setting included patient interest, pharmacist willingness and confidence to deliver the service, the service being comparable to existing pharmacy services (e.g., vaccination programmes) and prescriber acceptance of the results. Barriers included education and training of pharmacists, access to appropriate clinical resources, lack of patient-friendly resources and time capacity.
Conclusion: Community pharmacy led PGx services have been reported in several different countries. For such services to work well, they need patient interest, pharmacist engagement, training and supporting information for pharmacists and prescriber acceptance of recommendations for any changes to patient prescriptions.
Original languageEnglish
Article number7955
JournalPharmaceutical Journal
Volume307
Issue number7955
Early online date3 Nov 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Nov 2021

Keywords

  • barriers
  • enablers
  • testing service

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'How community pharmacy pharmacogenomics testing services around the world can inform their design and delivery in the UK'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this