Proposal for a pharmacogenetics certificate program for pharmacists

[...]specific applications should be presented to illustrate when testing may be indicated, the potential outcomes of testing and how the test results would be applied to inform medication selection or dosing. A report of an ACPE program demonstrated some improvement in pharmacists’ knowledge of PGx, but still a relatively low knowledge level following the completion of the program (precourse score: 46%; postcourse score: 53%) (19). [...]it may be necessary to expand the introductory home-study modules with more detailed optional modules about the history of PGx, understanding genetic variation, clinical PGx evidence and drug-gene interactions. While other clinical providers have expressed support for a collaborative relationship with pharmacists, more effort is needed to define the roles of pharmacists as a provider of clinical services, which may then lead to greater acceptance by other providers as a member of the clinical team (27-31). [...]one of the topics in the certificate program is engagement with local practitioners to discuss the delivery of PGx testing prior to implementation. [...]certificate programs are intended to provide pharmacy professionals with the knowledge and skill sets to improve or expand their current practice for new technologies or applications.