Targeting Problems and Adhering to Standards: A Pathway to Uniform Clinical Laboratory Processes that Maximize the Benefits of Pharmacogenomics

Commercial laboratories often have differing approaches to pharmacogenomic testing, which detects the presence of germline genetic variants associated with drug response. Setting standards for clinical laboratories and defining criteria for clinicians to consider when choosing a testing laboratory can help maximize the benefits of pharmacogenomics. Here, we propose specific laboratory practices that should be discontinued or established and followed as standard practice. We also propose ideal practices that would advance pharmacogenomics in clinical care.