A Comprehensive Review of Education and Training in Pharmacogenomics for the Modern Pharmacist

Document Type : Review Article

Author

Department of Pharmacognosy College of Pharmacy, Madras Medical College, Chennai - 600003, Tamil Nadu, India

10.30476/tips.2026.108376.1314

Abstract

The incorporation of pharmacogenomics (PGx) into everyday clinical practice marks a major leap forward in contemporary healthcare, heralding a new era of personalised medicine where drug choices and dosages are customised based on an individual's genetic profile. Pharmacists, as the most accessible healthcare providers and experts in medication, are ideally positioned to lead this transformation. However, the shift of PGx from a research field to a fundamental aspect of patient care hinges on having a well-trained workforce. This comprehensive review explores the current state, significant challenges, and prospects of PGx education and training for pharmacists. It examines the historical background of pharmacy education, the identified deficiencies in PGx knowledge, the various emerging educational models from doctoral programmes to ongoing professional development and innovative certificate courses, and the significant obstacles to implementation, such as curriculum overload, faculty expertise, and practical training challenges. Additionally, it discusses the essential skills needed for a practising PGx pharmacist and the unresolved issues related to certification and credentialing. The conclusion emphasises that without a coordinated, multi-stakeholder effort to prioritise and standardise high-quality, practical PGx education, the full potential of personalised medicine will remain untapped, and the pharmacy profession risks missing a crucial opportunity to redefine its role in patient care.

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