Proposal for a pharmacogenetics certificate program for pharmacists.

Abstract

The delivery of pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing has expanded outside of the traditional clinical setting to include community pharmacies. While pharmacists have been involved as a liaison between the clinical testing laboratory and ordering clinician, assisting with interpretation or application of results [1–3], the delivery of clinical testing by a community pharmacist marks another step in the expansion of roles and pharmacy services. Many community pharmacies currently offer tuberculosis testing, blood pressure monitoring, and now some have begun to offer PGx testing. Despite their interest in PGx testing, pharmacists have recognized their limited training and lack of knowledge and skills regarding PGx [4–7]. For several years, professional pharmacy organizations have called for enhanced training and curricula in PGx to prepare pharmacists to use and apply PGx testing [8–13]. Some state pharmacy boards require certification or specialized training to perform certain services, but do not yet require it for PGx testing. In this article, we propose the development of a certification program that pharmacists would be required to complete before offering PGx testing. Pharmacist certification in PGx could ensure the appropriate and safe use of PGx testing and optimize the lifetime benefits to patients. In the USA, training requirements to provide specific pharmacy services are determined and approved by state pharmacy boards. For example, provision of immunization services requires completion of the pharmacy-based immunization delivery certificate training program, which provides pharmacists the knowledge to administer and implement immunization services [14]. For other services, additional training is recommended; completion of the Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Certificate Training Program is recommended for pharmacists wishing to provide MTM services. This training program provides skills-based training on how to interview a patient, identifying and prioritizing medicationrelated programs, developing interventions and documenting activities. States may opt to develop their own training programs or approve completion of training programs offered by national pharmacy groups or private vendors to meet the state requirements. For example, New Mexico pharmacists interested in offering tuberculosis testing must complete a training program offered by the state health department [15]. The American Pharmacist Association (APhA), one of the oldest pharmacy associations, has developed certificate or training programs to ensure pharmacists are qualified to perform certain services for immunization delivery, diabetes care, MTM and cardiovascular disease risk management [16]. A recent search (14 October 2015) of the three types of continuing education programs (knowledge, application, practice) approved by the US Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE [17]) Proposal for a pharmacogenetics certificate program for pharmacists