Pharmacogenomics in Practice: Foundations of Decision Making

Pharmacogenomic (PGx) implementation is increasing because there is wide variability in medication response and strong evidence of the impact of genetic variation on medication outcomes. Commonly prescribed medications l have Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) and/or FDA have PGx-based prescribing guidance. However, the majority of clinicians report low knowledge and confidence of using PGx information for adjusting dose or drug selection. This barrier must be overcome by clinicians who are responsible for integrating PGx into their practice to achieve positive outcomes.

Pharmacogenomics in Practice: Foundations of Decision Making

A 4-hour, self-paced, online training for clinicians seeking to learn foundational concepts for the integration of pharmacogenomics (PGx) in their practice.

PGx in Practice: Foundations of Decision Making - Topics and Faculty Experts:

Welcome

  • Advances in precision medicine and PGx – Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD
  • Multidisciplinary roles in PGx – Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS

Foundations of PGx

  • Genomics 101 – Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD
  • Individualizing care: a review of pharmacology – Todd Skaar, PhD
  • Inheritance and medical genetics – Mylynda Massart, MD, PhD
  • ELSI & PGx – Lisa Parker, PhD

All about testing: Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD

  • Testing technologies
  • Landscape of PGx testing
  • Interpreting a PGx report

Principles of PGx decision making

  • The PGx decision-making process – Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD
  • PGx patient care plans – Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS

Trustworthy online resources:

  • CPIC – Kelly Caudle, PharmD, PhD
  • PharmGKB – Michelle Whirl-Carillo, PhD
  • FDA Resources – Rober Schuck, PharmD, PhD

Target Audience

All healthcare professionals, including: Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Physicians and Physician Assistants.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Review foundational genomic concepts and nomenclature.
  • Describe how PGx variation affects the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
  • Order quality PGx testing for patients across their patient care journey.
  • Explain the individual and societal risks and benefits of genetic testing in the healthcare setting.
  • Develop a stepwise decision-making process for the integration of PGx with clinical variables (e.g. phenoconversion) that known to impact PK/PD to make appropriate recommendations.
  • Identify one's own role and that of other interprofessional team members to apply PGx into practice.

Disclaimer Statement:

The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 4.00 AAPA Category I CME
  • 4.00 ACPE Pharmacy
    The UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.
  • 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 4.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 4.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
12/11/2025
Course expires: 
12/11/2028
Test2Learn
United States

Faculty:

Planning Committee:

  • James Coons, PharmD (University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA)
  • Jill Bates, PharmD, MS (University of North Carolina Medical Center, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC)
  • Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS (University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA)
  • Deepak Voora, MD (Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Durham, NC)
  • Trina Walker, DNP, APRN, FNP-C (Creighton University, Ohmaha, NE)
  • Nguyen Park, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA, (Wayne State University, Detroit, MI)
  • Mylynda Massart, MD, PhD, (Assistant Professor, School of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh)
  • Todd Skaar, PhD, (Professor of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine)
  • Lisa Parker, PhD, (Director, Center for Bioethics & Health Law, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Professor of Bioethics, Professor of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, Director, Master of Arts in Bioethics Program and Graduate Certificate in Bioethics, University of Pittsburgh)
  • Kelly Caudle, PharmD, PhD, FCCP (Associate Member, St. Jude Faculty, Director, Clinical Pharmacogenomics Implementation Consortium (CPIC), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN)
  • Robert Schuck, PharmD, PhD (Deputy Director, Division of Translational and Precision Medicine at U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Division of Genetics & Genomic Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO)
  • Michelle Whirl-Carrillo, PhD (Principal Investigator and Director, PharmGKB, Biomedical Data Science, Standford Medicine, Standford University)

Course Director:

Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD, FCCP (University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA)

Presenters:

Welcome

  •  Advances in precision medicine and PGx – Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD
  •  Multidisciplinary roles in PGx – Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS

Foundations of PGx

  • Genomics 101 – Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD
  • Individualizing care: a review of pharmacology – Todd Skaar, PhD
  • Inheritance and medical genetics – Mylynda Massart, MD, PhD
  • ELSI & PGx – Lisa Parker, PhD

All about testing: Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD

  • Testing technologies
  • Landscape of PGx testing
  • Interpreting a PGx report

Principles of PGx decision making

  • The PGx decision-making process – Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD
  • PGx patient care plans – Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS
    • Trustworthy online resources:
      • CPIC – Kelly Caudle, PharmD, PhD
      • PharmGKB – Michelle Whirl-Carillo, PhD
      • FDA Resources – Rober Schuck, PharmD, PhD

Conflict of Interest Disclosure:

Dr. Coons discloses that he receives grant/research support from Heart Rhythm Society, and Bristol Myers Squibb. He is a consultant for Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

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In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit[s]™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 4.0 contact hours.

Physician Assistant (AAPA)
The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 4.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.  

Pharmacy (CPE)
This knowledge-based activity provides 4.0 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 4.00 AAPA Category I CME
  • 4.00 ACPE Pharmacy
    The UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.
  • 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 4.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 4.00 Attendance
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