Introduction of nutrigenetic testing in pharmacies

Abstract

[eng] In the 21st century, in the time of the development of personalized approach to health, the shift happened in nutrition as well, and the focus has become the optimal nutrition for each person. Nutrigenetic test is a tool that helps us to learn and understand about the different genetic aspects that affect the way people respond to different nutrients. Consequently, it is possible to create personalized not only nutritional recommendations but prevention strategies which are essential taking into account the detrimental effect of the chronic diseases including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and some types of cancer have on public health and their connection to diet. In this context diet is one of the most easily affected factor of the lifestyle with scientifically proven beneficial effects on the global scale. Genetic testing as well as nutrigenetic testing is getting more and more attention from not only healthcare professionals and providers but consumers as well. Taking into account the accessible healthcare clients and patients get in pharmacies, as one of the first places they go for healthcare advice, the attempt to introduce nutrigenetic testing in pharmacies is completely justified. In this project we aimed to develop a workflow for introducing genetic testing in pharmacies, including regulatory overview, and technical aspect that need to be covered in order to successfully implement such service in pharmacies, like education of the staff in pharmacies regarding nutrigenetics as well as increasing the awareness of potential clients and patients about the positive impacts this approach can have on their overall health and wellbeing, including prevention of chronic diseases. We used a survey that was answered by 20 pharmacies to helps us gain insight in the organizational structure of the pharmacies and the interest of the staff in nutrition in general and genetic based personalized nutrition, as well as their interest in offering nutrigenetic testing to patients and clients. In conclusion, the overall results show that there is a demand for nutritional advice, as well as an interest in the relationship between nutrition and disease and personalized genetic based nutrition among the staff in pharmacies. However, there is no strong interest in offering nutrigenetic testing to patients and selling a nutrigenetic test in pharmacies, according to the results.