Gaining a solid foundation on pharmacogenomics and precision medicine
Ngoc Phuong Mai Le is a final-year PharmD candidate at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences–Boston, and 2023–2024 chair of the APhA–ASP Communications Standing Committee.
As a student pharmacist at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)–Boston, Ngoc Phuong Mai Le had the privilege to pursue the Precision Medicine Graduate Certificate in conjunction with Harvard Medical School (HMS). This certificate program provided the opportunity for students to gain more insights into the scientific backgrounds related to genomics as well as relevant case studies and patient interviews in real-life clinical settings in Boston.
The certificate program is a unique collaboration between MCPHS and HMS. The program requires four core courses; two of these are partnered with HMS, and the rest are completed through MCPHS. Mai recently sat down with Student Pharmacist Magazine (SPM) to discuss
her experiences and thoughts on incorporating pharmacogenomics into the pharmacy school curricula across the country.
SPM: What was your experience like taking the two courses and collaborating with HMS?
Mai: The two courses taken in collaboration with HMS were Fundamentals of Genetics and Pro Genetics: Cancer Genomics and Precision Oncology. The partnership with HMS creates diverse learning experiences, highlighting the importance of communication among health care providers and the pre-emptive approach of precision medicine toward patient care. The courses are offered through the HMS online learning platform, including modules with prerecorded scientific lectures and interviews with providers and patients as well as interactive quizzes for student learning checkpoints. I also completed timed exams at the end of the courses with passing grades to earn the certificates from HMS.
SPM: What was it like immersing yourself in the fundamentals of genetics?
Mai: The Fundamentals of Genetics course with HMS broadened my knowledge of various aspects in the field, including the human genome, genetic testing, the central dogma and genetic variation, Mendelian inheritance of disease, and the genetics of cancer. I spent 3 months in the summer of 2022 immersing myself in this course. It was a very rewarding experience to learn about the fundamental concepts of genetics and the importance of gene therapies in improving patient care.
SPM: What did you learn in the ethical, legal, and social aspects of precision medicine elective course at MCPHS?
Mai: This elective offers various hands-on activities, including a debate competition on the topic of precision medicine and a final essay assignment on the ethics and laws surrounding this practice. I also had the opportunity to research different types of consent forms used at clinical trial sites and suggest changes or improvements to increase the effectiveness of the patient information collection process.
SPM: Describe the online elective course you took at MCPHS and what you learned.
Mai: The last online elective course that I took at MCPHS as a part of the Precision Medicine Graduate Certificate program was Clinical Pharmacogenomics. I learned how to interpret pharmacogenomic test results, review evidence-based guidelines, and recommend optimal pharmacotherapy regimens using genetic information. I had the opportunity to conduct a swabbing procedure and send my sample to receive personalized pharmacogenetic testing results, which was a very fun and informative experience! I also learned about the challenges surrounding direct-to-consumer genetic testing and the impact of pharmacogenomics on clinical practice.
SPM: Why was the learning process about potential gene–drug interactions such an eye-opening experience for you?
Mai: When I received my pharmacogenomic testing results and learned how my genetic makeup could potentially impact the metabolism of certain drugs, I became more aware of medication use and alternatives to those specific medications. Although there are established gene–drug interactions in clinical guidelines, many unknown interactions still exist and are undergoing further investigation. By keeping up with the news and guidelines on pharmacogenomics, I can become more informed of clinical updates to look out for my health and for other people.
SPM: How important is it to have education on pharmacogenomics incorporated into the pharmacy school academic curricula, and what do you think this means for the future of the profession?
Mai: The incorporation of pharmacogenomics into pharmacy school curricula is important for the education and training of student pharmacists so that they can become knowledgeable health care providers and improve the quality of care via personalized medicines. Through coursework, practical training, and rotational experiences, student pharmacists and pharmacists can become more equipped with essential skills to provide medication counseling, recommend alternatives to avoid gene–drug interactions, and optimize patient outcomes.
SPM: How will attaining this certificate help you through the rest of pharmacy school and into your career?
Mai: The certificate has provided me with a solid foundation on pharmacogenomics and precision medicine, motivating me to approach complex patient cases from both clinical and genetic aspects. I’m excited to apply the knowledge learned from this certificate program to further leverage my skills and passion to support providers in making informed decisions and creating a positive impact on individualized patient care on the local, regional, national, and global levels.