How equipped are pharmacists for pharmacogenomics?: A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitudes, and implementation practices in Saudi Arabia

Pharmacogenomics, the study of genetic influences on drug response, advances personalized medicine by tailoring therapy to individual genetic profiles, reducing adverse effects and optimizing efficacy. Pharmacists, as accessible healthcare providers, are well-positioned to facilitate the integration of pharmacogenomics into clinical practice. This study assesses Saudi pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pharmacogenomics and identifies key barriers and facilitators affecting their readiness. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between July and October 2024 among 426 licensed pharmacists across various practice settings in Saudi Arabia: a validated, structured questionnaire assessed demographics, pharmacogenomics knowledge, attitudes, and implementation practices. Snowball sampling facilitated participant recruitment. Descriptive statistics summarized the findings, and Chi-square tests were applied to examine associations between socio-demographic variables and pharmacogenomics-related responses. Among 426 participants, while most pharmacists recognized the value of pharmacogenomics, knowledge gaps were notable, particularly in interpreting genetic tests and applying clinical recommendations. Only 52.3% received pharmacogenomics training, mainly through university courses, and 40.6% had never consulted pharmacogenomics resources in practice. Key barriers included limited access to genetic testing (74.2%) and lack of reimbursement (64.5%). Socio-demographics, such as age and practice setting, significantly impacted knowledge and attitudes. Saudi pharmacists face considerable barriers to pharmacogenomics readiness, including knowledge gaps, limited access to genetic testing, and insufficient institutional support. Addressing these challenges requires targeted education, structured policy initiatives, and enhanced resource availability to facilitate the effective integration of pharmacogenomics into pharmacy practice. Strengthening pharmacists' competencies in this field will be essential to optimizing patient care and advancing precision medicine in Saudi Arabia.