Adjunct Assistant Professor John Papastergiou’s research into pharmacogenomics at community pharmacies won first prize at the International Pharmaceutical Federation’s seventy-sixth annual congress.
The conference, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, brought pharmacists and researchers from all over the world together to present on innovations in pharmacy practice.
Papastergiou’s poster, entitled “Innovative Canadian Pharmacogenomic Screening Initiative in Community Pharmacy” assesses the use of pharmacogenomics in two community pharmacy sites. Pharmacogenomics is the study of how people’s genes affect their response to drugs.
Patients in Papastergiou’s study at the community pharmacies underwent cheek swabs: the samples were sent off to a laboratory to assess their genes. The pharmacist discussed results with the patients. At times, the metabolic data that patients inherit can affect their ability to metabolize drugs. In this case, the pharmacist may make recommendations to the physician to adjust the medication.
Papastergiou’s research demonstrates the readiness of pharmacists to adopt this type of innovative screening method and shows how pharmacogenomic analysis may influence medication management.
Congratulations to Papastergiou and his team for winning first prize at this prestigious international conference!