Pharmacogenetics: Knowledge assessment amongst Syrian pharmacists and physicians

Abstract

Background Pharmacogenetics targets genetic variations that influence drug response. It is relatively a new science that has not been vastly employed in most developing countries including Syria. Therefore we aimed at evaluating the depth of knowledge in pharmacogenetics and the attitude towards it amongst Syrian pharmacists and physicians. Methods We carried out an internet-based questionnaire consisted of 26 questions, sent through specialized websites and private groups with a large number of pharmacists and physicians members. The survey was available online for a period of 1 month. Results The total number of respondents was 154, mostly female pharmacists. Our statistical analysis showed a strong positive association between profession (in favour of pharmacists) and pharmacogenetics knowledge p = 0.049; however, no correlation with experience p = 0.811 was found. A significant difference was reported between the knowledge of pharmacists and physicians p = 0.001 concerning drugs that need pharmacogenetics testing before being prescribed. The majority of respondents had no information about applying genetic tests in Syria before prescribing medications nor did they possess the knowledge regarding drugs that show differential responses in patients according to their unique genotypes. In our study, the percentage knowledge assessment score was low in general (mean ± Standard deviation, SD) (46% ± 13.9%). The majority of the respondents agreed that pharmacists should provide counselling to patients on the subject of pharmacogenetics. Respondents’ opinions varied concerning making pharmacogenetics learning a priority. Conclusion Lack of pharmacogenetics knowledge was found amongst respondents in general. Our findings raise concerns about the lack of awareness amongst physicians, which may hinder the implementation of this crucial field in Syria. We suggest an emphasis on the role of education, training, and conducting genotyping research on the Syrian population.

Nation-Wide Survey Assessing the Knowledge and Attitudes of Romanian Pharmacists Concerning Pharmacogenetics

“…Most pharmacists knew that PGx studies the influence of genetic variability over efficacy and safety of drugs. Similar results were observed in other studies performed in high-income countries (Haga et al, 2021), but in middle-and low-income countries pharmacists' knowledge concerning PGx was lower, with fewer professionals being familiar with this field (Nagy et al, 2020;Albitar and Alchamat, 2021;Mufwambi et al, 2021). However, when asked more specific questions, Romanian pharmacists displayed lower knowledge, not being aware of the mechanisms behind drug-response variability or regarding the influence of genetic variability over the efficacy and safety of drugs such as clopidogrel, codeine or carbamazepine.…”

Healthcare practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes and practices of genetics and genetic testing in low- or middle-income countries - A scoping review

“…Seven articles from four of the 16 LMIC countries in the EMR were included. These seven articles included Lebanon (34,35), Pakistan (36, 37), Iran (38, 39) and the most recent from Syria (40). The topics covered were diverse; one article on attitudes towards termination of pregnancy (34), two on haematological disorders (36, 39), two on the provision of clinical and counselling genetic services (35,37), and one on HCP's knowledge of PIDs (38).…”

“…The topics covered were diverse; one article on attitudes towards termination of pregnancy (34), two on haematological disorders (36, 39), two on the provision of clinical and counselling genetic services (35,37), and one on HCP's knowledge of PIDs (38). The most recent article from this region focused on the newer developments of pharmacogenomics (40). Countries in the EMR have a higher rate of consanguinity in Arab communities, which has led to a higher frequency of congenital disorders (CD), particularly autosomal recessive conditions (41).…”

“…eugenic (25). Alfaqih, Khader (24) reported on the diverse views around establishing a DNA database to enhance personalised medicine, and Albitar and Alchamat (40) reported that physicians were uncertain about requesting pharmacogenomics testing before prescribing medication. It is anticipated that as related knowledge increases and application of these genetics tests improves, the attitudes of HCP may change and improve as a result of the expanding evidence base.…”

Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics in glaucoma therapeutics: the way to personalized therapy

“…Nevertheless, awareness of the general knowledge of PGx is surprisingly low among health-care workers, although the concept of PGx and personalized therapy has been established for decades in many fields of disease management. [19][20][21] The top obstacles in the implementation of pharmacogenetics in clinical practice by clinicians are cost-related concerns, insufficient knowledge, controversial opinions, and lack of evidence on test benefits. [22] Thus, education of clinicians should be considered to boost broader cooperation of basic and clinical research and implement the clinical translation of PGx labels into personalized glaucoma medicine in the future.…”