Southeast Asian Pharmacogenomics Research Network (SEAPharm): Current Status and Perspectives

Abstract

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is increasingly being recognized as a potential tool for improving the efficacy and safety of drug therapy. Therefore, several efforts have been undertaken globally to facilitate the implementation process of PGx into routine clinical practice. Part of these efforts include the formation of PGx working groups working on PGx research, synthesis, and dissemination of PGx data and creation of PGx implementation strategies. In Asia, the Southeast Asian Pharmacogenomics Research Network (SEAPharm) is established to enable and strengthen PGx research among the various PGx communities within but not limited to countries in SEA; with the ultimate goal to support PGx implementation in the region. From the perspective of SEAPharm member countries, there are several key elements essential for PGx implementation at the national level. They include pharmacovigilance database, PGx research, health economics research, dedicated laboratory to support PGx testing for both research and clinical use, structured PGx education, and supportive national health policy. The status of these essential elements is presented here to provide a broad picture of the readiness for PGx implementation among the SEAPharm member countries, and to strengthen the PGx research network and practice in this region.

Barriers to Implementing Clinical Pharmacogenetics Testing in Sub-Saharan Africa. A Critical Review

“…Furthermore, major PGx expert organisations such as the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) [ 3 ] and the Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group (DPWG) [ 4 ] provide guidelines for PGx clinical implementation of gene–drug categories, so-called ”actionable variants” (gene variants with PharmGKB 1A or 1B high level of evidence) [ 5 ], with over 65 dosage recommendations in place. In addition, other expert organisations such as the EU-PIC (European Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium) [ 6 ], U-PGx (Ubiquitous pharmacogenomics) [ 7 ], RELIVAF (Latin American Network for Implementation and Validation of pharmacogenomics guidelines) [ 8 ], and SEAPharm (Southeast Asian Pharmacogenomics Research Network) [ 9 ] also provide pharmacogenetically-guided dosage recommendations. Indeed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a list of PGx biomarkers for drug labelling with pharmacogenetically guided dosing [ 10 ].…”

Genetic Variation of G6PD and CYP2D6: Clinical Implications on the Use of Primaquine for Elimination of Plasmodium vivax

“…National and regional population screening programs are gathering pace (e.g. H3 Africa, African Genome Variation Project, SEAPharm) and will contribute to closing this gap (Gurdasani et al, 2015;Mulder et al, 2018;Chumnumwat et al, 2019). These projects may lead to higher resolution mapping of G6PDd and CYP2D6 polymorphisms.…”

Current and future state of clinical pharmacist‐led precision medicine initiatives

“…Research Network (SEAPharm) have begun to concentrate on specific precision medicine initiatives. 56 Pharmacists can play a significant role in providing precision therapy by becoming involved in research as whole-genome sequencing becomes part of mainstream clinical practice in the future.…”