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Review
. 2025 Jun;48(3):82-86.
doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2025.021.

Using pharmacogenomics to personalise drug therapy: which drugs, when and how

Sophie L Stocker  1   2   3   4   5 , Thomas M Polasek  1   2   3   4   5
Affiliations
Review

Using pharmacogenomics to personalise drug therapy: which drugs, when and how

Sophie L Stocker et al. Aust Prescr. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Pharmacogenomic testing provides information on whether a patient possesses gene variants that can influence drug exposure or response. It can be used as part of clinical decision-making to personalise drug therapy. Pharmacogenomic testing can help identify patients at higher risk of serious adverse drug reactions or therapeutic failure, and sometimes it can explain unexpected adverse effects or poor efficacy in patients already on drug therapy. As drug responses are influenced by many factors, pharmacogenomic test results must always be interpreted in the clinical context of the patient. At the time of writing, tests for thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) (azathioprine, mercaptopurine, thioguanine) and human leucocyte antigen B*57:01 (abacavir) are Medicare-rebated. Pharmacogenomic testing is also recommended for several other drugs, such as allopurinol and clopidogrel, but these do not currently attract a Medicare rebate.

Keywords: personalised drug therapy; pharmacogenomic testing; pharmacogenomics.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: Sophie Stocker is the lead investigator of a Gilead-funded trial investigating the use of pharmacogenomics to deliver individualised therapy of antifungal drugs. She is also leading a trial evaluating implementation of pharmacogenomics in aged care. Sophie received complimentary registration to the 2024 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia conference as an invited speaker on pharmacogenomics. Sophie is the co-chair of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) Pharmacogenomics Working Group, which developed the RCPA’s list of indications for pharmacogenomic testing in Australia. Thomas Polasek receives consultancy fees from Sonic Genetics for providing advice on interpretation of pharmacogenomic test results. Thomas is a member of the RCPA pharmacogenomics working group.

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