Comparative analysis of pharmacists’ knowledge and perception on the utilization of precision medicine to reduce antimicrobial resistance in Lebanon and Greece

Abstract

Pharmacogenomics and precision medicine are promising new tools in the fight against antimicrobial resistance by providing personalized treatment approaches based on an individual genetic makeup. Pharmacists, equipped with appropriate education and tools, can play a significant role in integrating pharmacogenomics and precision medicine into clinical practice and lead the rational use of pharmacogenomics in daily patient care. Improving patient outcomes in primary healthcare settings is the ultimate output. To date, there has been a lack of assessment and comparison of the knowledge and perceptions of pharmacists across different countries. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 223 participants from Greece and Lebanon. Results showed that 96% and 68% of the pharmacists in both countries were familiar with the terminology of antimicrobial resistance and precision medicine. A deeper investigation showed gaps concerning the profound understanding of antimicrobial resistance from the one health perspective and the preventive measures. Knowledge of pharmacogenomics, its tests, and the value of precision medicine was low in both groups, with more pronounced deficiencies in the Lebanese group. Additionally, pharmacists didn’t perceive their current role in implementing pharmacogenomics and precision medicine in the combat against antimicrobial resistance, but they expressed openness to future involvement in this area. This research can serve as a foundational tool to establish or adjust policies to allocate resources and support both systems and people to enhance precision medicine implementation in low-to-middle-income countries. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of leveraging the experiences and knowledge of high-income countries to effectively address the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.