International Pharmacy Debate: Pharmacogenomics is Over-Rated (COSA CPG, CAPhO, ISOPP and BOPA)
Members are invited to join an exciting international pharmacy debate: “Pharmacogenomics is Over-Rated” presented in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology (CAPhO), International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP), British Oncology Pharmacists Association (BOPA), and the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia – Clinical Pharmacists Group (COSA CPG).
Format: Fast-paced, 3-minute-thesis style presentations with evidence, energy, and a touch of humour
Expect: Lively arguments, rapid-fire rebuttals, and global perspectives.
Why this debate? Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is increasingly recognised for its role in personalising care and improving patient outcomes. But is its impact overstated? This debate will bring together leading oncology pharmacy voices from CAPhO, ISOPP, BOPA, and COSA to argue both sides:
Chairs: Marliese Alexander (COSA) and Neil Lam (COSA)
Affirmative: PGx is over-rated – meaningful only for a relatively small proportion of patients, with added challenges around cost, resourcing, and implementation in real-world care.
- Carlo DeAngelis (Canada, CAPhO)
- Mario de Lemos (Canada, CAPhO)
- Lita Chew (Singapore, ISOPP)
- Manit Saeteaw (Thailand, ISOPP)
- Nisha Shaunak (UK, BOPA)
Negative: PGx is not over-rated – strong evidence shows it improves safety, reduces toxicity, and guides more effective treatment for patients.
- Robert Duncombe (UK, BOPA)
- Claire Moore (Australia, COSA)
- Senthil Lingaratnam (Australia, COSA)
- Tamrat Tadesse (Ethiopia, ISOPP)
- Ebenezer Wiafe (Ghana, ISOPP)
