PakMediNet Discussion Forum : Pakistani Drugs : PHARMACOGENETICS
PHARMACOGENETICS
Pharmacogenetics
An introduction to the study of the genetic variations and drug response. So that the drugs could be tailor made.
Genetic variability among humans has an obvious impact on features such as height, hair colour and appearance, but also has an unseen role in our susceptibility to disease and the way in which our bodies metabolise drugs.
This last area of study - termed pharmacogenetics - brings together the study of how drugs work in the body (pharmacology) and genetics. Understanding how genes can influence response to drugs can help explain some patients respond well to drugs and others do not. It can also help doctors understand why some patients require higher or lower doses of a particular drug.
The goal of pharmacogenetics research is to provide information for 'personalised medicine' - giving a patient the right medicine at the right dose.
A great deal of pharmacogenetics research has focused on the mechanisms that determine drug concentration within the body, looking at the end result of ingestion, absorption, metabolism, clearance and excretion of a drug. Genetic tests are being developed to determine a patient's ability to metabolise a particular drug, which will allow dosage to be determined with greater certainty, and also to determine which patients may be susceptible to adverse side effects as a result of being prescribed a drug.
The pharmacological consequences of genetic variation are highly diverse. In some cases, a patient may break down or convert a drug slightly more quickly, or slightly slower, than another. But in other cases, the absence of drug-metabolising enzymes can cause excessive, and fatal, drug action, or the therapy may fail because the drug is not activated.
in Pakistan we are still far away from pharmecogentics and pharmecogenomics, and there is need that in college of medicines this subject should be taught sepratly.
Best regards
Aftab ahmad
aftabac@yahoo.com
Posted by: aftabac Posts: 271 :: 24-12-2006 :: | Reply to this Message
Re: PHARMACOGENETICS
This is for sure an interesting thing but we before this we need to inculcate a sense of responsibility in our doctors who are some times quite irresponsible in prescribing medicines
i have seen people getting costly anti biotic courses for viral sore throat, polypharmacy( having up to 3 NSAIDs) for pain relief and fancy multi vitamins ( GOD knows for what resons)........
So its high time that we realize this thing that we owe our first ressponsibility to our patients and not to the pharmaceutical industry
farooq
Posted by: drrathore Posts: 428 :: 25-12-2006 :: | Reply to this Message
Re: Re: PHARMACOGENETICS
you are right that in Pakistan there is not a testing authrity to check that what Doctor is prescribing for what reason. it is normal routine that Doctor prescribe 2-3 different antibiotic for single infection that can be easily cured by a single one. so there is strong need to educate the peoples as well as doctors.
secondly in order to keep our pace with the modern age we must also learn the modern technologies and modern way of treatment that when come in market are more impressive way of treatment and doctors prescribe them mostly. so we must be aware of the things.
regards
aftab
Posted by: aftabac Posts: 271 :: 25-12-2006 :: | Reply to this Message