Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine (Oct 2019)
Knowledge And Attitudes Of Pharmacy Students Towards Pharmacogenomics Among Universities In Jordan And West Bank Of Palestine
Abstract
Yazun Jarrar,1 Rami Mosleh,2 Mohammed Hawash,2 Qais Jarrar3 1Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; 2Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus 00970, Palestine; 3Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Al-Isra’a University, Amman, JordanCorrespondence: Yazun JarrarDepartment of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, PO Box 130, Amman 11733, JordanTel +9626795930283Email [email protected]: Testing by pharmacogenomics (PGx) aims to reduce the side-effects of medicines and to optimize therapy.Aim: To ascertain the knowledge and attitudes towards PGx among pharmacy students in Jordan and West Bank of Palestine (WBP).Methods: This cross-sectional study focused on pharmacy students from five universities in Jordan and WBP. Students were asked to answer an online survey comprising 30-closed ended questions measuring the knowledge and attitudes towards PGx.Results: The total number of respondents to the questionnaire was 466. Most (96.1%) respondents knew that genetic variations can affect the drug response. Most students stated that the total number of lectures mentioning PGx was fewer than three. Most (>80%) respondents answered that they knew that human genetics can affect the response, inter-individual variation, and ethnic variations in the drug response. However, their knowledge about US Food and Drug Administration recommendations regarding PGx testing of commonly used drugs was weak. Also, 60.3% of respondents stated that the information they received about PGx was insufficient. Most (>92.7%) students wished to know more about PGx and believed that PGx is helpful in choosing the appropriate drug.Conclusion: Pharmacy students had fair knowledge and good attitudes towards PGx. These factors could aid application of PGx in clinical practice in Jordan and WBP.Keywords: pharmacogenomics, Jordan, West Bank of Palestine, knowledge, pharmacy students
