Pharmacy and Genomic Medicine: A UK-wide survey of pharmacy staff assessing their prior education, confidence and educational needs
Authors: Wickens H J , Simpson S , Pope A , Allen J 
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Pharmacy teams are key in helping patients to get the most from genomic medicine.1,2 However, genomics has only recently been included in undergraduate curricula, and it has been suggested that all healthcare professionals could benefit from education in pharmacogenomics2. We surveyed pharmacy staff to gather information on previous education, current practice and future educational needs in genomics and pharmacogenomics.

Aim

This survey aimed to establish existing levels of education and confidence in genomics and pharmacogenomics in pharmacy staff working in any role, in any sector, across the UK, and to investigate respondents’ preferences in delivery of genomic education.

Methods

The survey was based on a 2021 survey of genomic knowledge among medical staff by Health Education England (HEE)3, and amended to reflect pharmacy roles and practice following discussion with pharmacy leads from the 7 NHS Genomic Medicine Service Alliances in England, and from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. SmartSurvey software was used to host the survey, with data held securely. The survey was open between 1st March and 16th May 2022, and was publicised via pharmacy groups including the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, National Pharmacy Association, Local Pharmaceutical Committees, chief pharmacists networks in primary and secondary care, and social media. This work was assessed using the NHS Health Research Authority Research screening tool and judged as ‘not research’; therefore ethical approval was not required.

Results

1,552 responses were received from pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, dispensers and other pharmacy staff across the UK; 68% of responses were from England, 13% from Scotland, 10% from Northern Ireland and 9% from Wales. The majority of responses (69%) were from Pharmacists, with 24% from Pharmacy Technicians and 4% from Pharmacy support workers. Only 13% of respondents had received any formal training in genomics. Most respondents felt unprepared to use genomic testing in their practice; just 8% of pharmacists (including trainees), and 1% of pharmacy technicians (including trainees) felt prepared. However, 65% of respondents thought that genomics would change their practice within the next 5 years, and over 70% of pharmacists, and 56% of pharmacy technicians, could envisage ordering, advising on, or counselling patients on genomic testing in the future after appropriate training. 29% of respondents (mainly pharmacy managers) did not currently see patients and therefore might not train personally in genomics.

Discussion/Conclusion

This work suggests that pharmacy teams are likely to require educational support to embrace the opportunities of genomic medicine. High survey engagement suggested that respondents were keen to make their voices heard. Pharmacists appeared more confident in their ability to advise patients on genomics than Technicians, however both groups seemed keen to receive training. One limitation is that respondents were likely interested in genomics; those with no interest may not have completed the survey. Additionally, pharmacy managers who do not see patients might not train personally in genomics, but may influence strategy for pharmacy genomics service development and delivery. National bodies should capitalise on enthusiasm across the sector to help drive pharmacy genomics services forward through education and training.

References

1. Royal College of Physicians and British Pharmacological Society. Personalised prescribing: using pharmacogenomics to improve patient outcomes. Report of a working party. London: RCP and BPS, 2022. https://www.rcp.ac.uk/projects/outputs/personalised-prescribing-using-pharmacogenomics-improve-patient-outcomes last accessed 1/6/23

2. Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Collaborative Position statement for Pharmacy professionals and Genomic Medicine. London: RPS, 2023 https://www.rpharms.com/development/pharmacogenomics/genomic-statement last accessed 1/6/23

3. Health Education England. Genomics in your practice: a health and social care survey. Birmingham, Health Education England, 2023 https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/documents/genomics-in-your-practice-a-health-and-social-care-survey/ last accessed 1/6/23