Emergence of Pharmacogenomics in Academic Medicine and Public Health in Jordan: History, Present State and Prospects

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) knowledge and practical applications in academic medicine and public health are expanding worldwide. In the past ten years, genotyping technologies have emerged in Jordan through the establishment of several research centers and university departments. The goals of this study were to assess the extensiveness, depth, and perceived importance of PGx instruction, in addition to the knowledge and use of PGxin academic medicine and public health in Jordan.A previously published questionnaire was modified and further developed and sent to medical academicians and public health workers. A total of 200 individuals in academic medicine and public health were invited to participate in the survey. The response rate was 75%. Approximately41% of respondents studied PGx at school. Coverage of PGxin departments of genetics and faculties of pharmacy was33% for <10 hours, 8% for 10-30 hours,2% for 31-60 hours and 6% for>60 hours. In terms of medical practice, the most frequently applied PGx topics were drug side effects (43%) and drug selection (35%). Nearly21% of PGx users reported they had been asked questions that require PGx knowledge by physicians whereas29% reported such questions from patients. Respondents considered their own PGx training inadequate, with a mean (±SD) value of 2.0± 1.0 (1 = very inadequate, 5 = very adequate). More PGx training is needed in order to establish good PGx education and apply PGx services in developing countries including Jordan. If PGx applications expand in academic medicine and public health as anticipated, the need to develop training capabilities will be even larger.