What is pharmacogenomics?

Pharmacogenomics is the field of study that focuses on understanding how an individual's genetic makeup influences their response to drugs. This area of research combines pharmacology (the study of drugs and their effects) with genomics (the study of genes and their functions) to explore the relationship between genetic variation and drug efficacy and safety.

The importance of pharmacogenomics lies in its potential to tailor drug therapy based on a person's genetic profile, which can help optimize treatment, minimize adverse effects, and improve overall outcomes. By identifying specific genetic markers that affect drug metabolism, efficacy, and toxicity, healthcare providers can make more informed prescribing decisions, leading to personalized medicine.

Other options, while related to pharmacology, do not capture the essence of pharmacogenomics:

• The study of drug interactions in populations focuses on how drugs interact with each other rather than how an individual's genetics influence their drug response.

• Creating generic drugs refers to the process of replicating branded medications and does not involve genetic factors influencing drug efficacy.

• Analyzing drug toxicity in the elderly is concerned with age-related factors affecting drug safety and is not specific to genetic considerations.

Thus, the response related to how genes affect drug response accurately reflects the core concept of pharmacogenomics.