Key Summary
- Royal Pharmaceutical Society has launched a new resource to help prescribers use genetic insights for safer, more personalised treatment.
- Designed for all prescribers, it offers simple case studies and practical guidance—no prior pharmacogenomics knowledge needed.
- Aims to reduce side effects and move beyond one-size-fits-all medicine, preparing the NHS workforce for the future.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) on Wednesday (18) rolled out a new resource to help prescribers integrate pharmacogenomics into routine decision-making and to meet established prescribing competencies.
Pharmacogenomics is the understanding how a person’s genetic makeup affects their response to medicines, and it is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of safe, effective and personalised prescribing.
As pharmacogenomic data becomes increasingly available across the NHS, prescribers will play a central role in ensuring it is applied safely and effectively.
The open access resource, “A Pharmacogenomic Resource to Support the Competency Framework for All Prescribers”, supports the RPS prescribing competency framework.
The resource is designed for all prescribers, regardless of prior knowledge or experience of pharmacogenomics. It includes practical case studies demonstrating how pharmacogenomic information can enhance clinical decision-making, reduce avoidable adverse drug reactions and support more effective use of medicines.
By mapping pharmacogenomic knowledge and skills to the RPS competency framework, the resource strengthens current practice while also informing future workforce development as pharmacogenomics becomes more embedded across the UK health system.
This resource helps prepare the workforce for the future, giving prescribers the clarity and confidence to use pharmacogenomic information in everyday practice.
Adverse drug reactions remain a significant burden for patients and the NHS.
Pharmacogenomics supports a move beyond a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach by helping prescribers anticipate how individuals may respond to medicines, supporting safer, more tailored prescribing decisions.
RPS president, Professor Claire Anderson, said, “This resource helps every prescriber meet established prescribing competencies by embedding pharmacogenomics into routine clinical decision making. It is an important step towards safer, more personalised prescribing for patients across the UK.”
Lead Author and Consultant Pharmacist for Pharmacogenomics Dr Sophie Harding said, “This resource has been created to be fully inclusive, supporting prescribers from all professional backgrounds as they navigate the rapidly evolving field of pharmacogenomics. Its development has drawn on the expertise of specialists from multiple organisations, reflecting a collective commitment to advancing safer and more personalised prescribing for patients. It has been a privilege to contribute to this work.”
In order to introduce the new resource, RPS will host a webinar on 19 May, from 7 to 8:15 pm.
