Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam

What does pharmacogenomics study?

1. Effects of diet on drug absorption

2. Role of pharmacy in public health

3. How genes affect drug response

4. Interactions of drugs with different treatments

The correct answer is: How genes affect drug response

Pharmacogenomics is a specialized field of study that examines how genetic variations among individuals influence their response to medications. This branch of pharmacology integrates the understanding of pharmacology with genomics to help tailor drug therapy based on an individual's genetic makeup. The correct answer, which highlights how genes affect drug response, is vital for developing personalized medicine approaches. By understanding the specific genetic factors that can alter the efficacy and safety of certain drugs for individual patients, healthcare providers can optimize drug selection and dosages. For instance, patients may metabolize drugs differently based on genetic polymorphisms affecting drug metabolism enzymes, leading to variations in drug effectiveness or the risk of adverse effects. In contrast, other options focus on aspects of pharmacology that do not specifically relate to the genetic factors influencing drug response. While the effects of diet on drug absorption, the role of pharmacy in public health, and interactions of drugs with different treatments are all important areas of study within the broader field of pharmacy, they do not encompass the core focus of pharmacogenomics, which is exclusively about the genetic basis of drug response variability.