What Is Pharmacogenomics?

Pharmacogenomics is the study of how a person’s genes can affect their response to drugs. This relatively new field combines pharmacology (the science of drugs) and genomics (the study of genes and their functions) to develop effective, safe medications and doses that will be tailored to a person’s genetic makeup.

When diagnostic data is combined with an individual’s specific medical history, health care providers can better understand how that person’s genes will respond to certain drugs/treatments and can thus develop a targeted treatment plan.

Defining Pharmacogenomics

The National Institute of Health defines pharmacogenomics as “the study of how an individual’s genetic inheritance affects the body’s response to drugs.” Pharmacogenomics brings pharmaceuticals, genomics (the study of genomes), and genetics (the study of genes and genetic variants) together to help tailor drugs and treatment plans on an individual level, based on specific types of genetic profile.

How Does Pharmacogenomics Work?

This relatively new field blends large-scale diagnostic data with an individual’s specific medical history. The goal is to better understand how one specific person’s genes will respond to drugs or other medical treatments. Treatment plans are not “one size fits all,” and the field of Pharmacogenomics helps health care providers create individualized approaches to precision medicine based on each patient’s genetic makeup.

Pharmacogenomics can also inform drug development by helping developers better understand side effects, efficacy, and increased risk factors across specific types of genetic makeup.

Pharmacogenomics Trends and Outlook

As a fast-growing field, pharmacogenomics has career opportunities on the rise. For students already interested in pharmacy, drug development, research, chemistry, genetic testing, and more, Pharmacogenomics may open doors to new leadership roles and career advancement.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that genetic therapists can expect the rate of employment to rise by 16% from 2023 to 2033. BLS data also suggests the median salary for genetic therapists was $95,770 in 2023; professionals holding a master’s degree may also earn a higher salary and qualify for leadership positions.

What Does a Career in Pharmacogenomics Entail?

Pharmacogenomics is not a single path forward, but instead opens many new opportunities in a range of fields. Pharmacogenomics careers can include working in lab-based roles or with clinical trials, exploring new data-driven approaches to cancer therapies, operating as a genetic counselor, managing pharmacogenetic testing, bringing precision medicine into pharmacy settings, and beyond.

Geneticists, medical scientists, genetic data analysts, and many more genetics- and pharmaceutical-based careers can benefit from an education in Pharmacogenomics.

What Do I Need to Get Started in the Program? 

To enroll in the online MS in Pharmacogenomics, you’ll need:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
• At least one semester of undergraduate course work in organic chemistry and calculus (or equivalent coursework as determined by the program).
• Two letters of recommendation and a Statement of Purpose.
• A resume, including your personal, professional, and educational background.

Why Pharmacogenomics Might Be Perfect for You

Do you wonder how each person’s genes affect the medications they should take, or which genetic variants might produce a bad reaction and negative side effects? Are you passionate about learning how the healthcare field can custom-tailor treatment plans and medications to better serve individual patients, and evolve past “one size fits all” approaches to healthcare? Are you interested in working on the forefront of today’s genetic testing and drug development?

The Pharmacogenomics field may be the perfect place for you, and an online Masters degree from the University of Cincinnati can set you up for success in this important and fascinating new field. Our pharmacogenomics program, led by professors with real-world experience, is a great next step for those with backgrounds in allied health, biology, chemistry, nursing, genetic research, and similar fields.

Learn more about earning your Masters of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Healthcare degree from UC today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the differences between pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics?

Pharmacogenetics focuses on how a single gene affects a person’s response to a specific drug, while pharmacogenomics examines how a person’s entire genome influences their response to medications. Essentially, pharmacogenomics is a broader field that incorporates pharmacogenetics as it considers the cumulative effect of multiple genes on drug efficacy and safety.

What is an example of pharmacogenomics?

An example of pharmacogenomics is the use of genetic testing to determine how a patient with cancer might respond to specific chemotherapy drugs. By analyzing the patient’s genetic profile, healthcare providers can tailor the treatment plan to enhance effectiveness and reduce adverse side effects, leading to more personalized and precise therapy.

What are the benefits of pharmacogenomics?

Pharmacogenomics offers numerous benefits, including the ability to personalize drug therapies based on an individual’s genetic makeup, which can improve the efficacy and safety of treatments. By reducing the trial-and-error approach in prescribing medications, it helps minimize adverse drug reactions and optimizes therapeutic outcomes, ultimately leading to more precise and effective healthcare.