Bridging Population Health Gaps through Pharmacogenomics: A Case Study of Cardiovascular Disease

Ishita Goyal, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality in India, accounting for over 25% of deaths. Despite the widespread use of drugs like Clopidogrel and statins, these one-size-fits-all medications often neglect genetic outliers, leading to reduced efficacy or adverse drug reactions in patients with unique genetic profiles. Pharmacogenomics offers a solution by tailoring treatments to individual genetic variability, thus improving therapeutic outcomes. However, the use of pharmacogenomics in India’s public healthcare system remains limited. This study investigates the knowledge-practice gaps in pharmacogenomics for cardiovascular disease management within Delhi’s government hospitals and explores its potential for population health policy. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including literature reviews, surveys, and qualitative interviews, this research examines barriers such as infrastructure deficits, high costs, and limited provider training. Expected findings suggest minimal integration of Pharmacogenomics in clinical practice, significant challenges in access to genetic testing, and training gaps among healthcare providers. The study anticipates that pharmacogenomics will remain underutilized in cardiovascular disease care without national guidelines and policy reforms. Addressing these barriers could reduce health disparities and improve access to personalized medicine, particularly for genetically diverse and underserved populations in India.

Keywords: Population Policies, Population and Development, Mixed methods research, Biodemography and genetics

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