Pharmaceutical genomics, also known as pharmacogenomics, is a relatively new area of pharmacy that promises to be at the epicentre of future healthcare. 

The practice involves delivering tailored treatments to patients based on their genomic information, which can determine their individual response to drugs. 

As genomics becomes more commonplace, pharmacists will apply genomic sequencing information in their day-to-day practices to guide the selection and dosing of medicine for individual patients.

In the UK, the NHS has outlined a strategic training framework to integrate pharmaceutical genomics into mainstream healthcare, underpinned by the NHS Genomic Medicine Service.

New and existing practicing pharmacists can choose to train in genomics as a specialism, whilst relevant knowledge will be delivered through training across the wider pharmacy workforce over the coming years.

Pharmacists can speak to their supervisors about upskilling in this area of practice, as well as joining communities like the UKCPA Genomics community to stay up-to-date with the latest advances in pharmacogenomics.

Genomics is driving change in pharmaceutical medicine, from how medicines are prescribed, to determining the treatments that are delivered to patients. 

According to the NHS, core advances that are being worked into mainstream pharmacy include:

• Pharmacogenomics: making decisions on patient treatments by using genomic information to predict individual responses to medicines

• Gene therapies: treating disease by delivering tailor-made genetic materials to patients cells

• Predicting treatment resistance: reviewing the characteristics of an individual's genes to determine resistance to treatment ahead of time

• Treatment targeting: as our understanding of the genomic basis for disease and diagnosis grows, more targeted treatments can be delivered

• Repurposing existing treatments: a greater knowledge of genomic variations makes it possible to identify new uses for existing medicines and therapies

As our knowledge and integration of genomics into pharmacy develops, there will be a switch from broad, symptom-driven diagnosis to diagnosis that is largely informed by genomics and specific clinical information. Treatment will be tailored to individuals’ genetic makeup and previous responses, leading to more effective treatments overall.