<p>Physicians’ Attitudes and Ethical Obligations to Pharmacogenetic Testing</p>

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the increased utilization of pharmacogenetic (PGt) testing to guide drug therapy, little is known about the ethical challenges posed by the use of these genetic tools. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to address ethical issues related to ancillary genetic information, consent forms, and potential confidentiality breaches from physicians' perspectives. A questionnaire was administered to all practicing physicians working in KAUH. Results: Almost 49% and 65% of physicians were willing to recommend PGt testing for adult and pediatric patients, respectively. The findings showed that physicians attitudes towards the clinical utility of PGt testing became more preceptive. The majority (73.7%) indicated that PGt testing should not be treated as other routine laboratory tests. The finding also focused on potential conflicts regarding ancillary genetic information, in which 78.8% indicated that they would like to preserve the confidentiality and privacy of the patients and only 14.4% of physicians did not feel obligated to let patients know about any future risk that might be uncovered using PGt testing. The findings showed that collecting both verbal and written consents was imperative prior to testing. Seriousness and predictability of the diseases were reported to be legitimate circumstances that allow disclosure of genetic information. Discussion: Unless the field of PGt testing addresses the ethical challenges that might be encountered during PGt treatment, these issues might influence its acceptance in routine clinical settings. Establishing a minimal set of ethical standards may help emphasize the role of physicians and thus facilitate the implementation of PGt tests.

Awareness of pharmacy researchers about the national research code of ethics: A study from Jordan

“…In agreement with that, there is an increased interest in the ethical philosophies of conducting proper research worldwide [ 1 ]. As well, there are success stories in Jordan about international projects concerning responsible conduct of research with huge funds and a great turnout from researchers’ especially pharmacological researchers and those from the faculty of pharmacy [ 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Clinical Pharmacists’ Involvement in Pharmacogenomics Testing and Related Services in China

“…We developed a questionnaire encompassing questions about clinical pharmacists’ characteristics, personal experience, and self-assessed level of knowledge and capacity related to PGx testing. According to current clinical practice in China and similar research on PGx testing in other countries [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ], we developed a preliminary questionnaire and invited four PGx experts to review initial items, provide feedback, and suggest necessary changes. The survey was then piloted among 20 pharmacists not included in the study sample to establish the reliability of the questionnaire.…”

Clinical Pharmacists’ Knowledge of and Attitudes toward Pharmacogenomic Testing in China

“…Based on the current use of PGx testing in China and similar studies [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ] in other countries, we developed a questionnaire inquiring clinical pharmacists’ knowledge of, attitudes toward, and experience with PGx testing. The survey contains 38 questions and takes an estimated 10–15 min to complete.…”

“…We developed a questionnaire inquiring about clinical pharmacists’ knowledge of, attitudes toward, and experience with PGx testing. We first developed an initial draft of the questionnaire based on the current use of PGx testing in China and similar studies in other countries [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. The initial questionnaire was also developed based on previous studies on the use of PGx testing in other countries.…”