ASHP Statement on the Pharmacist’s Role in Clinical Pharmacogenomics
Cyrine E. Haidar, Natasha Petry, Carolyn Oxencis, Janine S. Douglas, James M. Hoffman
Abstract
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) believes pharmacogenomic testing can improve medication-related outcomes across the continuum of care in all health-system practice settings. These improvements include improved clinical outcomes, decreased side effects, lower cost of treatment, increased medication adherence, more appropriate selection of therapeutic agents, decreased length of treatment, and enhanced patient safety.1-4 Because of their distinct knowledge, skills, and abilities, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to lead interprofessional efforts to develop processes for ordering pharmacogenomic tests and for reporting and interpreting test results. Pharmacists are also singularly qualified to lead efforts to guide optimal drug selection and drug dosing and provide patient as well as provider education based on those results. Pharmacists therefore have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that pharmacogenomic testing is performed when needed and the results are utilized to optimize medication therapy.1 Pursuant to this leadership role, pharmacists share accountability with other health-system leaders,...