Abstract
Background: The concept of pharmacogenomics (PGx) involves using genetic data from patients to create personalized treatment plans and improve outcomes. Community pharmacists' role in providing PGx services has gained more attention around the world, but data from Pakistan remains limited. This study examined the knowledge, attitude, perception, and self-confidence of community pharmacists regarding PGx services in Punjab, Pakistan.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 400 community pharmacists practicing in Punjab, Pakistan. They completed a self-administered questionnaire that had been previously tested in the literature. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistical methods, including the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Bloom’s taxonomy criterion scores were used to categorize responses as high, moderate, or low.
Results: Four hundred questionnaires were analysed (response rate 100%). Only 15.3% had previous pharmacogenomics training, while 57.3% expressed interest in future training. Overall, respondents demonstrated moderate knowledge of pharmacogenomics (median knowledge score: 11.0 out of 17; 64.7%). The majority demonstrated a good attitude (median attitude score: 7.0 out of 10; 70.0%) and good perception (median perception score: 29.0 out of 45; 64.4%) towards pharmacogenomics services. Median self-reported confidence score was 25.0 out of 40 (62.5%), indicating a moderate level of confidence. Previous pharmacogenomics training was significantly associated with higher knowledge (p < 0.001), attitude (p = 0.010), perception (p < 0.001), and self-reported confidence (p = 0.001). The most frequently identified barriers to pharmacogenomics implementation were lack of knowledge/expertise (21.0%), lack of guidelines (19.0%), and lack of reimbursement (19.2%).
Conclusion: Community pharmacists in Punjab, Pakistan demonstrate moderate knowledge and self-reported confidence alongside a good attitude and perception towards pharmacogenomics services. Previous pharmacogenomics training was the strongest predictor of higher scores across all four domains. Integration of pharmacogenomics content into pharmacy training curricula and continuing professional development programmes are recommended to bridge existing knowledge and confidence gaps