Pharmacogenomics vs. Pharmacology: Understanding the Differences

In the United States, it is estimated that over 1.5 million people visit emergency rooms each year due to dangerous adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Many of these healthcare emergencies could be avoided if healthcare providers better understood their patients’ genetic profiles, which influence drug response.

Pharmacogenomics (or PGx) is an exciting, important field that aims to create safer, more effective medication and treatment plans by studying an individual’s genetic makeup. Read on to learn more about the field, how it differs from pharmacology, and ways to kickstart your pharmacogenomics career.

Pharmacology is a research-focused, interdisciplinary field that examines how drugs and chemicals interact with living organisms and the human body. Although it may sound like pharmacy, it is a separate and distinct field.

Pharmacology is important because it helps people live healthier and longer lives through safe, effective drug development. Some of the daily work of pharmacologists includes:

• Developing new medicines and treatments
• Analyzing drug processing in the body
• Determining safe dosages for medications
• Conducting clinical trials and experiments

Pharmacogenomics is a relatively new field within precision medicine that brings together pharmacology and genomics (the study of genomes) to examine how a person’s genomic variants within their DNA impact their individual response to medicines, along with other patient-specific factors like environment and lifestyle. 

Through pharmacogenomic testing, healthcare providers can better determine how a person's genes will respond to certain drugs and treatments and develop tailored treatment plans that work best for each patient’s unique biology.

Other key pharmacogenomics benefits for patients and their medical teams include:  

1. The development of more effective medicines
2. Decrease in adverse drug reactions 
3. Lower healthcare costs and failed drug trials
4. Opportunities for advanced disease screening
5. Improvements in the drug discovery and approval process

The main difference between pharmacology and pharmacogenomics is that pharmacology takes a broader view of the “average” human body’s response to medicine. Pharmacogenomics, instead, examines an individual’s unique genetic response to a medicine to create safer, more effective individualized treatment plans that move away from “one-size-fits-all” approaches.

Once a healthcare provider collects a pharmacogenomic test from a patient (usually a blood sample or buccal swab), they send it to a lab to analyze specific genes. A healthcare provider determines which genes to test based on a patient’s condition and the treatment they are considering.

Pharmacogenomics is used for many different health care conditions. For example, it is commonly used in cancer treatment to target genetic variants in specific tumor cells, increase treatment efficiency, and reduce side effects.

Other common health conditions that benefit from pharmacogenomic testing, according to Cleveland Clinic, include:

• High cholesterol
• Depression 
• Blood clot prevention
• HIV
• Immune system issues
• Pain management

Pharmacogenomics is currently revolutionizing healthcare and holds exciting possibilities for the future of individualized healthcare treatments.  As research and technology continue to advance, experts predict additional changes to the pharmacogenomic landscape in the coming years, including:

• More accessible and affordable pharmacogenomic testing
• Expanded drug databases leading to improved predictions
• AI-driven genetic analysis to facilitate improved outcomes
• Greater integration in day-to-day clinical practice

Now more than ever, it's an exciting time to break into the pharmacogenomics field, which offers a range of career opportunities across different areas and specializations. In fact, demand for genetic counselors is only expected to rise, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reporting a 10% increase in employment through 2035.  

Ranked #1 in degree completions and the largest program of its kind in the U.S., the University of Cincinnati’s online Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Healthcare (PGx) bridges the gap between laboratory genomics and patient care. Our program is ideal for individuals interested in precision medicine, clinical genomics, translational research, or tailoring therapies to individual patients.

Students in our program gain experience working with genomic databases and applying genetic insights to real health care scenarios. The curriculum covers genomics, biomarkers, bioinformatics, and personalized medicine approaches, creating ample opportunities for students in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and direct clinical care.

Best of all, our coursework is 100% online and taught by a wide range of expert clinicians and researchers. Students can complete the program part-time or full-time without having to interrupt their professional or personal commitments. 

Ready to take the first step towards a pharmacogenomics career? Or do you have questions about any of UC’s master’s degrees in pharmacy?  Reach out today to an Enrollment Services Advisor, who can answer your questions.