Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding proteins involved in mercaptopurine metabolism can influence drug efficacy and safety. This study aims to assess clinical pharmacists’ knowledge about mercaptopurine-related genes and their polymorphisms and investigate their attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs about the need for and importance of pharmacogenetic testing for mercaptopurine. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among oncology/hematology clinical pharmacists in Saudi Arabia using an online-questionnaire developed by experts in the field. The questionnaire consists of four-sections exploring clinical pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs about the importance of gene testing and genes polymorphism when prescribing mercaptopurine. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data in the study. A total of 41 oncology/hematology clinical pharmacists responded to the survey invitation. Almost half of them had more than 10 years of work experience, but only 17 % of them received formal training in pharmacogenetics. The overall level of knowledge about pharmacogenetics among participants was low, with a mean score of 2.8 points (1.7) out of 8 items. However, around 76 % agreed that it is important to perform pharmacogenetic screening prior to prescribing mercaptopurine, and almost 93 % state that it will influence their dosage recommendation. Most of the participants had a good perception (95.1 %) of their role in genetic testing for medication selection, dosing, and monitoring; however, about 10 % of surveyed pharmacists reported not being completely responsible about recommending pharmacogenetic testing. The surveyed pharmacists had a good belief in the importance of pharmacogenetic testing and their overall attitude was positive toward the use of pharmacogenetic testing, with emphasis on the importance of training on the proper assessment and interpretation of pharmacogenetic tests. Pharmacists demonstrated good perception and positive attitude toward pharmacogenetic testing, despite the low level of knowledge and limited formal training. Thus, more attention to developing national guidelines on pharmacogenetic testing is warranted to ensure successful pharmacogenetic testing implementation.

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临床药师对基因多态性药物遗传学检测在开具巯嘌呤处方时的作用的知识、态度、看法和信念

编码参与巯嘌呤代谢的蛋白质的基因中的单核苷酸多态性可以影响药物的功效和安全性。本研究旨在评估临床药师对巯嘌呤相关基因及其多态性的了解，并调查他们对巯嘌呤药物遗传学检测的必要性和重要性的态度、看法和信念。使用由该领域专家开发的在线调查问卷，在沙特阿拉伯的肿瘤学/血液学临床药剂师中进行了一项横断面描述性研究。该调查问卷由四个部分组成，探讨临床药师在开具巯嘌呤处方时对基因检测和基因多态性重要性的知识、态度、看法和信念。描述性统计用于分析研究中的数据。共有41名肿瘤学/血液学临床药师回应了调查邀请。他们中几乎一半人有10年以上的工作经验，但只有17%接受过药物遗传学方面的正规培训。参与者对药物遗传学知识的总体水平较低，8个项目的平均得分为2.8分（1.7）。然而，大约 76% 的人同意在开出巯嘌呤处方之前进行药物遗传学筛查很重要，几乎 93% 的人表示这会影响他们的剂量建议。大多数参与者（95.1%）对其在药物选择、剂量和监测的基因检测中的作用有良好的认识；然而，约 10% 的受访药剂师表示对推荐药物遗传学检测不完全负责。接受调查的药剂师对遗传药物测试的重要性抱有充分的信念，他们对遗传药物测试的总体态度是积极的，强调正确评估和解释药物遗传测试的培训的重要性。尽管药剂师知识水平较低且正规培训有限，但他们对药物遗传学测试表现出良好的认知和积极的态度。因此，需要更多地关注制定国家药物遗传学检测指南，以确保药物遗传学检测的成功实施。