CULTIVATING A GENOMIC-READY WORKFORCE : PHARMACOLOGY
CULTIVATING A GENOMIC-READY WORKFORCE : PHARMACOLOGY
AGHI Pharmacogenetic
Pharmacists
Blake Goff , PharmD
With the addition of pharmacogenomic results to the AGHI , a new type of health care professional was added to the team , to help interpret results and educate participants and providers . Pharmacists work collaboratively with other health care professionals to promote patient safety , proper care , and optimized medication therapy . While many think of a pharmacist as the person dispensing medications at a retail pharmacy , pharmacists can be found in a variety of roles and settings . These can include conducting research , participating in hospital rounds , compounding IV formulations for infusion clinics , and working in specialties such as oncology , rheumatology , and pharmacogenomics .
PHARMACISTS ARE MEDICATION EXPERTS WHO HAVE EXTENSIVE TRAINING IN :
• Pharmacology
• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacokinetics ( what the body does to a drug )
• Medication compounding , dispensing , and administration
• Evidence-based medicine
• Development and management of treatment plans
Pharmacogenomics pharmacists specialize in determining how genetic differences may affect how a person responds to medications . Genetics can show that some patients may process certain medications faster or slower than the average person , meaning that the patient could benefit from higher or lower doses of these medications .
Brittney Davis , PharmD
Nita A . Limdi , PharmD , PhD , MSPH
In the AGHI , these pharmacists obtain medication histories , answer participant questions during recruitment , and interpret laboratory reports to create summaries for providers regarding any current or future medications affected by the patient ’ s results . Working with the family medicine providers , they also help improve clinical workflows and integrate pharmacogenomic results into the medical record , to inform future prescribing . The pharmacists are available for additional consultation with both the provider and the patient , to answer any questions they may have about the genetic results .
Becoming a pharmacist requires 2-4 years of undergraduate prerequisites , followed by four years of pharmacy school to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy ( PharmD ) degree . All graduates must successfully pass the national licensure exam ( NAPLEX ), as well as a state law exam ( MPJE ) for the state in which they will be practicing . Optional residencies , fellowships , board certifications , and professional certificates are available in certain specialty areas .
The AGHI ’ s pharmacogenomics pharmacists all have completed a professional pharmacogenomics certificate program through the American Society of Health System Pharmacists . In 2019 , Alabama Gov . Kay Ivey signed into law a bill authorizing a pharmacist licensed by the Board of Pharmacy and a physician licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners to enter into a collaborative practice agreement , further expanding pharmacists ’ role in health care .
14 Alabama Genomic Health Initiative Annual Report 2021