Bridging the Gap: PGx and Health Equity in Ambulatory Care

Could PGx Testing Improve Health Equity in Your Pharmacy?

Hello Precision Medicine Community: Join Us to Learn More

As pharmacists, we often witness how healthcare disparities impact patient outcomes, especially when it comes to medication access and efficacy. For many underserved communities, lack of tailored treatment options can amplify these issues, leading to prolonged suffering, avoidable side effects, and increased healthcare costs. Pharmacogenomics (PGx) offers a promising solution to bridge these gaps by providing a tailored approach to medication, increasing effectiveness and safety for those most impacted by healthcare inequities.

Problem: Healthcare Disparities and Access to Effective Medication

Disparities in medication response often disproportionately impact diverse populations. A standardized approach to medication can lead to adverse reactions, treatment failures, and additional hospitalizations for patients whose genetic makeup may require different doses or alternative therapies. These issues are particularly prevalent in communities historically underserved by healthcare systems, creating an urgent need to rethink the “one-size-fits-all” approach in favor of more personalized options.

Solution: How PGx Empowers Pharmacists to Address These Disparities

By tailoring medications to individual genetic profiles, PGx can help underserved populations access safer, more effective treatment options. For ambulatory care pharmacists, PGx testing offers a way to:

• Reduce adverse drug reactions by identifying optimal medications.
• Improve patient adherence to therapy, as they experience better outcomes with medications suited to their genetics.
• Minimize the need for trial-and-error prescribing, which can be especially challenging for patients with limited healthcare access.

Implementing PGx as part of routine care in ambulatory settings could profoundly improve patient outcomes in populations with historical barriers to effective treatment.

Study Example: PGx Testing and Health Equity in Diverse Populations

A 2021 study in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics examined PGx testing outcomes in various racial and ethnic groups, particularly focusing on chronic conditions like hypertension, depression, and diabetes. Results showed that patients receiving PGx-guided care had 30% better medication adherence and a 25% reduction in adverse reactions compared to those on traditional regimens. These benefits were most pronounced among Black and Hispanic patients, highlighting PGx's potential to mitigate disparities in treatment efficacy.

In a California pilot program at community clinics, PGx testing led to increased patient satisfaction and better adherence, particularly for managing mental health conditions. Patients appreciated the customized care, often seeing it as an investment in their health. This personalized approach fostered a new level of trust, helping close the gap in healthcare access.

Takeaway: How Pharmacists Can Lead the Change

As pharmacists and healthcare providers, we’re in a unique position to advance PGx in ambulatory care settings, championing health equity through personalized medicine. By introducing PGx testing, we have the potential to dismantle barriers to effective care and ensure all patients receive treatments that meet their unique needs.

Questions to Consider:

1. How might PGx testing in your pharmacy influence patient outcomes?
2. Could PGx help address specific health disparities within your patient community?
3. What strategies can you employ to introduce PGx testing to underserved populations?

For healthcare providers interested in integrating PGx into their practice, we invite you to join our upcoming PMH webinar or book a 1:1 call with Melissa Smith PharmD, CPH .

We’ll discuss how PGx can enhance safety and outcomes in treatments, especially in breast cancer care, where personalized approaches can prevent unnecessary losses and advance personalized medicine for all.

Warm regards,

Melissa Smith PharmD, CPH

Director of Community Engagement and

Professional Mentorship Precision Medicine Hero