Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics play an increasingly important role across many areas of medicine and healthcare, offering the potential to improve treatment outcomes by tailoring therapies to individual genetic profiles. This is especially valuable in fields where treatment responses can vary widely between patients, and where a trial-and-error approach is still common. However, challenges remain in translating genetic insights into clinical practice. These include the complexity of genetic influences on disease and drug response, limited representation of diverse populations in genetic research, and concerns related to the ethical, legal, and regulatory aspects of genetic testing.

Despite these barriers, there are substantial opportunities to enhance treatment efficacy, reduce adverse drug reactions, and support the development of more precise, individualized therapies. Ongoing advances in genomic technologies, data analytics, and the integration of genetic data with other clinical and biological markers hold promise for driving a more personalized, evidence-based approach to healthcare.

The implementation of pharmacogenetic testing in routine care is still evolving. Significant hurdles include the need for validated genetic markers, clear clinical guidelines, and greater awareness and education among healthcare providers. Large-scale, multi-ethnic studies are essential to identify reliable genetic predictors of treatment response and to ensure that personalized medicine benefits all populations equitably.

This issue aims to explore the role of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics in advancing personalized medicine, with a focus on improving drug efficacy, minimizing side effects, and enhancing individualized care across diverse healthcare settings. We welcome contributions addressing the following themes:

- Genetic markers in drug response: Identifying and validating genetic variants that influence drug efficacy and safety across different diseases

- Population diversity and ethics: Addressing underrepresentation in genetic studies and exploring ethical considerations in genetic testing

-Clinical implementation: Strategies for integrating pharmacogenetic testing into routine healthcare practices

- Personalized treatment models: Approaches for tailoring treatments based on genetic and clinical data

- Technological innovations: The role of tools such as artificial intelligence and next-generation sequencing in accelerating pharmacogenomic discovery and application

This Topic welcomes a range of different types of articles including original research, reviews and perspectives.

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Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics in Psychiatry: Challenges and Opportunities

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