Are we PREPAREd? Concerning the "PREemptive Pharmacogenomics Testing for Preventing Adverse Drug Reactions (PREPARE) Study"

N/a.

Pharmacist's attitudes and knowledge of pharmacogenomics and the factors that may predict future engagement

BACKGROUND

While pharmacists are well positioned to implement pharmacogenomic testing in healthcare systems, uptake has been limited.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this survey was to determine how post-graduate education and training influences pharmacist's knowledge and attitudes of pharmacogenomic testing.

METHODS

Survey questions were developed by the study team, and responses were collected electronically using REDCap™. The electronic survey was sent to all pharmacists (n=161) within a large, multi-state healthcare system by email.

RESULTS

A total of 75 (47%) respondents completed all aspects of the survey. The majority of respondents were female (60%), worked in acute care settings (57%), were full-time employees (80%), and worked in an urban area (85%), with many graduating in or after 2010 (43%). For post-graduate education, 36% of respondents completed a Post-Graduate Year One Residency (PGY-1), and 27% had a board certification. Those that completed a PGY-1 residency were significantly more likely to have received formal training or education on pharmacogenomics than those who had not. They also assessed their own knowledge of pharmacogenomic resources and guidelines higher than those without PGY-1 training. More recent graduates were also significantly more likely to have received formal training or education on pharmacogenomics. Additionally, pharmacists who completed a PGY-1 residency were more likely to respond favorably to pharmacogenomics being offered through pharmacy services. Pharmacists with board certification were more comfortable interpreting results of a pharmacogenomic test than those without board certification.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacists who have completed a PGY-1 residency or received board certification appear more comfortable with interpretation and implementation of pharmacogenomic testing.

Why African Americans say "No": A Study of Pharmacogenomic Research Participation

Objective

To identify reasons for nonparticipation by African Americans in cardiovascular pharmacogenomic research.

Design

Prospective, open-ended, qualitative survey.

Setting

Research staff approached patients eligible for the Discovery Project of The African American Cardiovascular pharmacogenomics CONsorTium in the inpatient or outpatient setting at four different institutions during September and October 2018.

Participants

Potential Discovery Project participants self-identified as African American, aged >18 years, were on one of five cardiovascular drugs of interest, and declined enrollment in the Discovery Project.

Main Outcome Measures

Reasons for nonparticipation.

Methods

After declining participation in the Discovery Project, patients were asked, "What are your reasons for not participating?" We analyzed their responses using a directed content analytic approach. Ultimately, responses were coded into one of nine categories and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Of the 194 people approached for the Discovery Project during an eight-week period, 82 declined participation and provided information for this study. The most common reason for refusal was concern about the amount of blood drawn (19.5%). The next most common reasons for refusal to participate included concerns about genetic testing (14.6%) and mistrust of research (12.2%). Across study sites, significantly more patients enrolled in the inpatient than outpatient setting (P<.001). Significantly more women and younger individuals declined participation due to concerns about genetic testing and too little compensation (P<.05).

Conclusions

Collection of blood samples and concerns about genetic testing are obstacles for the recruitment of African Americans to pharmacogenomics studies. Efforts to overcome these barriers to participation are needed to improve representation of minorities in pharmacogenomic research. Enrolling participants from inpatient populations may be a solution to bolster recruitment efforts.

HLA Allele Distribution Associated with Adverse Drug Reactions in Organ Transplant Patients

The results of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) antigen testing in transplant patients are not generally used to predict future adverse events. In this study, free-text HLA screening results of transplant patients were analyzed and stored in a database, and the frequencies of patients with adverse events according to HLA allele were extracted. Approximately 25% of patients had HLA alleles associated with serious drug side effects.