Algahtani Mohammed
Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2020 Aug 21;13:1279-1291. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S267492. eCollection 2020.
The accelerated transformation in the healthcare system supported by the Saudi Vision 2030 makes the present the best time to start the real application of pharmacogenomics in Saudi Arabia. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception and the application status of pharmacogenomics among pharmacists in the hospital settings in Saudi Arabia.
This cross-sectional observational survey was conducted among 206 qualified pharmacists working in Saudi hospitals. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to all participants.
Only 30% of the pharmacists had received any type of formal training on PGx. Of these, only nine participants had actually put the knowledge into practice. Participants showed a moderate to low level of knowledge when responded to the pharmacogenomic knowledge indicators used in the study. The low knowledge and the availability of the pharmacogenetic test are the main barriers for the low adoption of the pharmacogenomics in the clinical practice. Approximately 83% felt the need to know more about pharmacogenomics. Participants show positive perception with high motivation levels to incorporate this technology in practice. For example, 76% stated that pharmacogenetic testing should be applied to pharmacy practice. Around 38% of participants reported that the Saudi government and the Saudi FDA had been promoting the pharmacogenomics. However, 50% of the total participants reported that their hospital management is unaware of the pharmacogenomics importance in clinical practice.
This study emphasizes on two needs which can help promote the use and implementation of pharmacogenomics. One is the need to update the pharmacy education and training programs with pharmacogenomic-related areas to raise the pharmacist's knowledge and practical skill to apply pharmacogenomics in the clinical practice effectively. Another need is to increase the awareness of the decision and policy-makers with the importance of pharmacogenomics for the patient benefit and safety. This preliminary evaluation will provide future insight into the best approach to applying pharmacogenomics in the Saudi healthcare system.
在沙特阿拉伯《2030年愿景》的支持下，医疗保健系统加速转型，使得当下成为在沙特阿拉伯真正应用药物基因组学的最佳时机。本研究旨在评估沙特阿拉伯医院环境中药剂师对药物基因组学的知识、认知及应用现状。
对沙特医院工作的206名合格药剂师进行了这项横断面观察性调查。向所有参与者发放了一份自填式问卷。
只有30%的药剂师接受过任何类型的药物基因组学正式培训。其中，只有9名参与者实际将知识付诸实践。在回答研究中使用的药物基因组学知识指标时，参与者的知识水平中等偏低。知识水平低和药物基因检测的可及性是临床实践中药物基因组学采用率低的主要障碍。约83%的人认为有必要更多地了解药物基因组学。参与者表现出积极的认知，并有很高的积极性将这项技术应用于实践。例如，76%的人表示药物基因检测应应用于药学实践。约38%的参与者报告称沙特政府和沙特食品药品管理局一直在推广药物基因组学。然而，50%的参与者报告称他们的医院管理层没有意识到药物基因组学在临床实践中的重要性。
本研究强调了有助于促进药物基因组学使用和实施的两个需求。一是需要更新药学教育和培训项目，纳入与药物基因组学相关的领域，以提高药剂师在临床实践中有效应用药物基因组学的知识和实践技能。另一个需求是提高决策者对药物基因组学对患者受益和安全重要性的认识。这项初步评估将为在沙特医疗保健系统中应用药物基因组学的最佳方法提供未来的见解。
