Ibrahim Asmaa, Alenany Reem, Bader Loulia, Nazar Fatima, Abulola Sara, Almasalmeh Ola, Riaz Sadaf, Zahroh Hilyatuz, Mraiche Fatima
College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2025 Aug;13(4):e70121. doi: 10.1002/prp2.70121.
Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is a crucial part of precision medicine; however, its integration into clinical practice has been slow, primarily due to knowledge gaps regarding pharmacogenomics among healthcare professionals (HCPs). Pharmacogenomics education is considered the most influential barrier to the successful implementation of PGx. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, several studies have highlighted the lack of PGx education among students and HCPs. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the existing literature on how PGx is delivered in the curricula and its impact on knowledge acquisition among students and HCPs in the MENA region. A database search of PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL was conducted up to June 2023. Outcomes included PGx education availability, curriculum placement, mode of delivery, and knowledge level. Seven cross-sectional studies were identified (2014-2023), with 57% from the Gulf region. PGx education is mostly taught to undergraduates (71%) through didactic lectures (100%), with only a few studies reporting a standalone course (29%). Participants demonstrated low (43%) to moderate (43%) knowledge levels, assessed using objective scales or subjective self-assessment after completion of the course. Reported barriers to implementing PGx education included knowledge gaps, economic constraints, and system sustainability. PGx education in the MENA region is delivered mainly as an integrated course in professional programs including pharmacy and medicine, and the overall knowledge level was low to moderate. Future research could focus on providing more detailed reporting of the PGx educational landscape, developing standardized assessment tools, and evaluating actual knowledge acquisition among different professions.
药物基因组学（PGx）是精准医学的关键组成部分；然而，其融入临床实践的进程一直较为缓慢，主要原因是医疗保健专业人员（HCPs）在药物基因组学方面存在知识差距。药物基因组学教育被认为是PGx成功实施的最具影响力的障碍。在中东和北非（MENA）地区，多项研究强调了学生和HCPs中缺乏PGx教育的情况。本综述旨在概述现有文献中关于PGx在课程中如何传授及其对MENA地区学生和HCPs知识获取的影响。截至2023年6月，对PubMed、Embase和CINAHL进行了数据库检索。结果包括PGx教育的可获得性、课程设置、授课方式和知识水平。共确定了7项横断面研究（2014 - 2023年），其中57%来自海湾地区。PGx教育大多通过讲授式讲座（100%）传授给本科生（71%），只有少数研究报告有独立课程（29%）。课程结束后，使用客观量表或主观自我评估，参与者的知识水平显示为低（43%）到中等（43%）。报告的实施PGx教育的障碍包括知识差距、经济限制和系统可持续性。MENA地区的PGx教育主要作为药学和医学等专业课程中的一门综合课程进行，总体知识水平为低到中等。未来的研究可以侧重于更详细地报告PGx教育情况、开发标准化评估工具以及评估不同专业人员的实际知识获取情况。
