QPGx-CARES: Qatar pharmacogenetics clinical applications and research enhancement strategies

Abstract

Pharmacogenetic (PGx)-informed medication prescription is a cutting-edge genomic application in contemporary medicine, offering the potential to overcome the conventional "trial-and-error" approach in drug prescription. The ability to use an individual's genetic profile to predict drug responses allows for personalized drug and dosage selection, thereby enhancing the safety and efficacy of treatments. However, despite significant scientific and clinical advancements in PGx, its integration into routine healthcare practices remains limited. To address this gap, the Qatar Genome Program (QGP) has embarked on an ambitious initiative known as QPGx-CARES (Qatar Pharmacogenetics Clinical Applications and Research Enhancement Strategies), which aims to set a roadmap for optimizing PGx research and clinical implementation on a national scale. The goal of QPGx-CARES initiative is to integrate PGx testing into clinical settings with the aim of improving patient health outcomes. In 2022, QGP initiated several implementation projects in various clinical settings. These projects aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of PGx testing, gather valuable insights into the effective dissemination of PGx data to healthcare professionals and patients, and identify the gaps and the challenges for wider adoption. QPGx-CARES strategy aimed to integrate evidence-based PGx findings into clinical practice, focusing on implementing PGx testing for cardiovascular medications, supported by robust scientific evidence. The current initiative sets a precedent for the nationwide implementation of precision medicine across diverse clinical domains.

FIGURE 1

QPGx‐CARES key elements for advancing pharmacogenetic research and clinical implementation in Qatar.

FIGURE 2

Schematic frame for preemptive and reactive PGx models.

FIGURE 3

The distribution of minor allele frequency among various populations for the studied cardiovascular medications‐related actionable genotype.

FIGURE 4

A schematic workflow of QGP/PGx pilot implementation (a) Clopidogre_CYP2C19 implementation pilot (b) Warfarin_CYP2C9/VKORC1 implementation pilot (c) Statins_SLCO1B1/ABCG2/CYP2C9 Implementation. EHR, Electronic Health Record; PCI, Percutaneous coronary intervention; PGx, Pharmacogenetics; POC, Point of Care.