Pharmacogenomics, the study of how genes affect a person’s response to drugs, is rapidly transforming healthcare. Standardizing laboratory practices in this field is crucial for ensuring accurate and reliable results. Pharmacy Times interviewed Benjamin Brown, executive director of the American Society of Pharmacovigilance and co-founder of Standardizing Laboratory Practices in Pharmacogenomics (STRIPE), about the inaugural STRIPE Annual Meeting and Consensus Workshop held in October 2024. Brown shared his insights on the importance of standardization, his background, and the future of pharmacogenomics.
Attendees at the STRIPE meeting gather for a photo. Image Credit: American Society of Pharmacovigilance
The Mission of STRIPE and its Inaugural Meeting
STRIPE aims to standardize laboratory practices in pharmacogenomics, ensuring consistent and reliable results for patients. The 2024 inaugural meeting, held at US Pharmacopeia headquarters, marked a significant milestone in this mission. The goal was to achieve consensus on policies and standards related to pharmacogenomic implementation, encompassing regulatory, practical, clinical, and medical perspectives.
Brown emphasized the importance of diverse stakeholder involvement, stating that every perspective is valuable in achieving these objectives. He believes establishing core standards agreed upon by all stakeholders will provide a foundation for tackling future challenges. While the meeting didn’t aim to solve every problem in pharmacogenomics, it focused on addressing key issues that hinder the field’s progress.
Brown’s Journey in Pharmacogenomics
Brown’s background combines Wall Street experience with personal experience as a cancer survivor. His career at Morgan Stanley involved working with life science and diagnostic companies, providing him with valuable insights into the business aspects of healthcare. His personal journey as a stage 3 testicular cancer survivor gave him a unique understanding of the challenges patients face, especially regarding adverse drug events. This combination of business acumen and personal experience fuels his passion for driving standardization in pharmacogenomics.
He believes in understanding the specific goals and missions of different organizations within the healthcare ecosystem and finding common ground to address shared challenges. He emphasized the importance of presenting different perspectives to stakeholders, facilitating collaboration and understanding the value of participation. Bridging the gaps between different interests is crucial for achieving consensus and advancing pharmacogenomics.
The Pharmacist’s Role and the Future of Pharmacogenomics
Brown highlighted the paramount role of pharmacists in pharmacogenomics. Pharmacists possess in-depth knowledge of drugs, making them essential in ensuring safe and effective medication management. As healthcare moves towards more collaborative and value-based care, the pharmacist’s expertise becomes even more critical. They play a vital role in interpreting pharmacogenomic test results and tailoring medication regimens to individual patients.
The success of the inaugural STRIPE meeting reinforces the organization’s credibility and ability to achieve its goals. This success will encourage further participation and open communication about the challenges facing pharmacogenomics. Brown believes STRIPE is the ideal platform for addressing these challenges and welcomes all stakeholders to join the community and contribute to advancing the field.
The meeting aimed to build consensus on key issues and foster collaboration among stakeholders. This progress lays the groundwork for future advancements in pharmacogenomics and improved patient care through personalized medicine. For healthcare professionals seeking to integrate pharmacogenomics into their practice, consulting with experts and staying updated on the latest research and guidelines is essential.
