Pharmacogenomics, or PGx, is changing medicine worldwide. The idea is simple: the right drug should match a person’s genes. But turning this idea into reality is not easy.
A recent study looked at 272 physicians and pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. It aimed to see how aware healthcare professionals are of PGx and how ready they are to use it in practice.
The results were interesting. Almost three-quarters (73.5%) said they had good awareness of PGx. At first glance, this looks promising because people are talking about it and thinking about it.
But awareness does not mean readiness. Knowing that genes affect drug responses is one thing, while knowing which test to order or how to adjust treatment is something else. Many professionals may understand the concept but are not yet ready to apply it in real life.
The study included a mix of doctors and pharmacists, men and women, mostly aged 30–49, with strong representation from the Central Region. One surprising finding was that women had higher awareness (76.9%) than men (69.6%). This may suggest that women are more engaged with new clinical sciences.
Saudi Arabia has made strides in digital health and genomics research. But putting PGx into everyday practice still faces challenges. Hospitals need clear guidelines, training programs, and easy access to genetic testing. Without these, PGx risks staying a concept rather than a tool.
The study shows a strong starting point. Healthcare professionals are ready to learn and use PGx. The next step is for the system to support them, and this means policies, infrastructure, and education.
While Saudi Arabia has the talent and awareness to fully adopt PGX in routine care, the real test is whether the healthcare system is ready to make it happen.
