THE ROLE OF PHARMACOGENOMICS IN OPTIMIZING DRUG THERAPY AND REDUCING ADVERSE REACTIONS

Abstract

Pharmacogenomics is a fast-moving discipline that examines the intricate relationship between a patient's genetic profile and his/her response to drugs, paving the way for tailored medicine. Through the identification of genetic differences affecting drug metabolism, efficacy, and susceptibility to side effects, pharmacogenomics facilitates individualized drug therapy, ensuring maximum treatment efficacy while reducing the risks of inefficient or toxic drugs. This strategy has acquired strong momentum in areas like oncology, psychiatry, cardiology, and infectious diseases, where small variations in genes may have a drastic impact on the response to drugs. This review discusses major pharmacogenomic biomarkers, clinical uses, study designs, and incorporation of genetic testing into routine care to facilitate precision medicine. Although its potential advantage is promising, the universal use of pharmacogenomics is beset by many challenges, including unequal access to genetic testing, exorbitant costs, variations in regulatory processes among various health systems, and ethical issues about genetic data protection and informed consent. Nevertheless, recent developments in artificial intelligence-based predictive models, polygenic risk scores, and international pharmacogenomic databases hold the key to overcoming these restrictions, making targeted drug therapy more available and efficient. To gain maximum benefit from pharmacogenomics, interdisciplinary research and collaboration among scientists, medical practitioners, policymakers, and bioinformatics specialists will become a necessity. Moreover, increasing the scope of studies to cover the diversified population will be the key to ensuring equitable and effective healthcare delivery for all.