Azhar Talal

Title : Stakeholders’ interest and attitudes toward Genomic Medicine and Pharmacogenomics implementation in the United Arab Emirates: A qualitative study

Abstract:

Introduction: Mapping the power, interest and stance of stakeholders is a cornerstone for genomic medicine implementation. In this study, we aimed at mapping the power/interest of various stakeholders in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and exploring their attitudes toward pressing health genomics aspects.

Aims & Objectives: The overarching aim of this study is to facilitate the construction of a roadmap for the full implementation of genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics in the UAE with potential applicability to many healthcare systems around the world.

Materials & Methods A qualitative approach using in-depth interview was employed. Heterogeneous stakeholders were identified by experts in the field. The analysis of the data was a hybrid of deductive and inductive approach using NVivo software for coding and analysis. Institutional Review Board (IRB ( from UAEU social science was granted.

Results: 13 interviews were conducted. Following mapping the Mendelow’s matrix we categorized the stakeholders in UAE to promoter, latent, defender and apathetic. Most of the interviewed stakeholders emphasized the clinical demand for genomic medicine in UAE. However, many of them were less inclined to articulate the need for pharmacogenomics at the moment. The majority of stakeholders in UAE were in favor of building infrastructure for better genetic services in the country. Stakeholder from an insurance sector had contradicting stance about the cost-effectiveness of genomic medicine; the majority were concerns with the legal and ethical aspects of genomic medicine and had an opposing stance on direct-to-consumer kits.

Conclusion: implementing the Mendelow’s model will allow the systematic strategy for implementing genomic medicine in UAE. This can be achieved by engaging the key players (promoters and defenders) as well as engaging and satisfying the latent stakeholder.

Biography:

Azhar Talal, B sc. Pharmacy, MPH, Senior Pharmacist, Tawam Hospital/Johns Hopkins International, Al Ain, UAE.  Azhar obtained her B sc. Pharmacy degree, from the Faculty of Pharmacy, AUST -UAE, and then had her (MPH), from the United Arab Emirates University – UAE. She also obtained her CPPS (Certified Professional of Patient Safety) from The National Patient Safety Foundation. As well as her American board in medical quality. She worked as teaching assistant at AUST from 2001 till 2006. She joined Tawam Hospital in 2007 and during her tenure has gained experience in many pharmacy sections of  the department, 2nd in-charge in the Polyclinic pharmacy and covered in the Material management section – Tawam Hospital. Currently she is the Unit Dose pharmacy supervisor at Inpatient Pharmacy-Tawam Hospital as well as a BLS instructor at American Heart Association.

Currently, Azhar is a PhD candidate in the Institute of Public Health, Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE and her area of research is Pharmacogenomics in United Arab Emirates. Azhar had published 4 papers about the implementation of genomics and pharmacogenomics in UAE, and her abstracts accepted in many national and local conferences.