Barriers and facilitators for implementing a pharmacogenetic passport: lessons learned from reusing sequencing data

Pharmacogenetics uses individuals’ genetic profiles to optimize drug treatment and prevent adverse reactions. One strategy to obtain information on pharmacogenes is to reuse sequencing data for a pharmacogenetic passport, providing information preemptively to healthcare professionals for utilization throughout a patient’s lifetime.
To explore stakeholders’ perceived barriers and facilitators and future perspectives of implementing a pharmacogenetic passport based on experiences from reusing sequencing data, in a Dutch University Medical Center.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 21 stakeholders. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, and themes were grouped under the constructs of structure, culture, and practice.   
Perceived implementation barriers included inadequate data infrastructure, limited knowledge of pharmacogenetics, lack of (visible) guidelines, unequal access, unclear division of tasks and unclear procedures, and other hospital priorities. Perceived facilitators included the ease, efficiency, and affordability to obtain pharmacogenetic test results from reused sequencing data, stakeholders’ positive attitudes about patient impacts of a pharmacogenetic passport, and that patient control of their health data is provided.
When considering the implementation of a pharmacogenetic passport, strategies can be developed to diminish barriers and strengthen facilitators. It is important to focus on data infrastructure, (visibility of) guidelines, clear division of tasks, and pharmacogenetic education.
Stakeholder interviews at a Dutch University Medical Center explored perceived barriers and facilitators and future perspectives for implementing a pharmacogenetic passport based on experiences from reusing sequencing data. Key lessons learned from reusing sequencing data show that improving data infrastructure, creating (visible) guidelines, defining a clear division of tasks, and focusing on pharmacogenetic professional education, may bring implementation forward.