UKCPA launches the Handbook of Pharmacogenomics
The UK Clinical Pharmacy Association (UKCPA) has launched a new national resource: the UKCPA Handbook of Pharmacogenomics, a freely accessible, evidence‑based guide designed to support healthcare professionals in using pharmacogenetic results to optimise medicines. The Handbook brings together information from multiple sources and the clinical experience of pharmacists and healthcare professionals with expertise in pharmacogenomics.
UKCPA emphasises that this resource will become increasingly important as more NHS patients present with genetic test results that influence prescribing. As Dr Sarah Carter, UKCPA CEO, notes, the Handbook is "only going to get more necessary as more genetic tests become available on the NHS."
What the Handbook offers
The Handbook provides:
• Clear, practical monographs for medicines with known pharmacogenomic relevance
• Evidence‑based interpretation guidance
• Regularly reviewed content, with review cycles ranging from one to five years depending on complexity
• Independent expert review to ensure accuracy and clinical applicability
It has been developed by Lucy Galloway and Dr Hayley Wickens, both Consultant Pharmacists in Genomic Medicine and leaders within the UKCPA Genomics Committee. Their work has been supported by a wide network of contributors and reviewers across the UK.
The Handbook is endorsed by the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, and the British Pharmacological Society, signalling broad professional support across primary care, pharmacy, and pharmacology.
Why this matters for UK‑IPN members
For the UK‑IPN, this launch represents a significant milestone in the UK's pharmacogenomics landscape.
1. A shared national reference point
Industry, NHS, academia, and regulators now have a common, clinically grounded resource to support consistent interpretation of pharmacogenetic results.
2. Stronger alignment with NHS implementation
As pharmacogenomics becomes more embedded in routine care, industry innovation must align with NHS‑ready guidance. The Handbook provides clarity on how genetic information is expected to influence prescribing decisions.
3. Greater confidence for clinical adoption
Clear, evidence‑based guidance reduces uncertainty for clinicians and supports safer, more effective medicines use, a key enabler for uptake of pharmacogenomic technologies.
4. Momentum for the wider ecosystem
The Handbook's development and endorsement reflect growing national commitment to pharmacogenomics. This strengthens the case for investment, collaboration, and innovation across the UK‑IPN community.
Explore the Handbook
The resource is freely available here: https://pharmacogenomics-handbook.ukclinicalpharmacy.org/
Looking ahead
UK‑IPN will continue to champion cross‑sector collaboration to ensure that pharmacogenomics becomes a routine part of UK healthcare and that industry innovation is aligned with clinical need, regulatory expectations, and patient benefit.
This Handbook is a welcome and timely step forward, and one that will support our members as we collectively shape the future of personalised medicine in the UK.