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Introduction: The terms pharmacogenomics and
pharmacogenetics are used interchangeably. However, a
precise, consensus definition of both the terms remains
elusive. Pharmacogenetics is generally regarded as the
study of genetic variation that gives rise to differing
response to drugs, while pharmacogenomics is the broader
application of genomic technologies to new drug
discovery and further characterization of older drugs.
Pharmacogenetics considers one or at most a few genes of
interest, while pharmacogenomics considers the entire
genome. Much of current clinical interest is at the
level of pharmacogenetics, involving variation in genes
involved in drug metabolism with a particular emphasis
on improving drug safety. While, Pharmacovigilance is
the pharmacological science relating to the detection,
assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse
effects, particularly long term and short-term side
effect, of medicines. It is gaining importance for
doctors and scientists as the number of stories in the
media of drug recalls increases. The relationship
between phamacovigilance and pharmacogenetics/genomics
might be the result of plasticity, that is the ability
of a drug to alter gene expression, either rapidly or
over time, reversibly or permanently. While individual
genetic make-ups may play a role in drug responsiveness,
long-term changes in genetic expression profiles may
also play a role in the continued effectiveness (or
safety) of a drug. |
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