Pharmacogenomics: Personalizing Medicine Through Genetics
Pharmacogenomics is a rapidly evolving field that combines pharmacology and genomics to understand how an individual’s genetic makeup influences their response to medications. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, pharmacogenomics focuses on tailoring drug therapy to achieve the best possible outcomes while minimizing adverse effects. This personalized approach marks a significant shift in how diseases are treated and managed across healthcare systems.
Every person’s genetic code contains variations that can affect how drugs are absorbed, metabolized, distributed, and eliminated from the body. These genetic differences help explain why a medication that works well for one patient may be ineffective or even harmful to another. Pharmacogenomics aims to identify these genetic variations and use that information to guide treatment decisions, including drug selection and dosage adjustments.
One of the most important benefits of pharmacogenomics is improved patient safety. Adverse drug reactions are a major concern…