What is the definition of pharmacogenomics?

Pharmacogenomics is defined as the study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs. This field combines pharmacology, the science of drugs, and genomics, the study of genes and their functions. Understanding pharmacogenomics allows healthcare professionals to tailor medication regimens to individual patients based on their genetic makeup, enhancing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing adverse effects.

For instance, variations in genes can influence drug metabolism, leading to differences in how a patient responds to a particular medication. Some patients may require a different dosage or an entirely different drug based on their genetic profile, which underscores the importance of this field in personalizing treatment.

Other options discuss different aspects of pharmacy practice but do not pertain to the genetic basis of drug response. While pricing strategies, drug interactions, and compliance rates are all relevant in the healthcare context, they do not relate specifically to how genetic factors influence the effectiveness and safety of medications for individual patients.