Attitudinal barriers to delivery of race-targeted pharmacogenomics among informed lay persons

Genet Med. 2003 Sep-Oct;5(5):385-92. doi: 10.1097/01.gim.0000087990.30961.72.

Abstract

Objectives: To ascertain attitudes of prospective patients relevant to the delivery of race-based pharmacogenomics.

Methods: Written anonymous survey and qualitative responses in two sets of reactance format focus groups over-sampled for minority groups in urban, suburban, and rural communities conducted from February through April, 2002 [N = 104] and August through November, 2002 [N = 120].

Results: Participants do not associate "races" exclusively with continental clusters. They have incomplete knowledge of their recent ancestors (39.6% do not know all their biological grandparents). They would be highly suspicious of race-labeled drugs; with 47.5% saying they would be very suspicious of their safety and 40.6% indicating they would be very suspicious of their efficacy. A substantial minority of African-American participants (13.2%) would prefer to take the drugs designated for European Americans. Effect of discussion of race-based medicine on racial attitudes is ambiguous.

Conclusions: Patient knowledge of ancestry and suspicion of race-designated drugs constitute substantial barriers that need to be incorporated in judging the likely effectiveness of race-based pharmacogenomics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Drug Labeling
  • Ethnicity / psychology*
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Patient Participation
  • Pharmacogenetics*