National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

The National Human Genome Research Institute began as the National Center for Human Genome Research (NCHGR), which was established in 1989 to carry out the role of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the International Human Genome Project (HGP). In 1997, the United States Department of Health and Human Services renamed NCHGR the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), officially elevating it to the status of research institute – one of 27 institutes and centers that make up the NIH.

With the human genome sequence complete since April 2003, scientists around the world have access to a database that greatly facilitates and accelerates the pace of biomedical research. The history of the HGP, the history of genomics and the history of NHGRI are inextricably intertwined.

In November 2011, Dr. David Kisor represented the Raabe College of Pharmacy at the NHGRI meeting titled "Pharmacist Education in the Era of Genomic Medicine." The college joined representatives from national organizations including American Pharmacists Association, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, American Medical Association, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics, National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, University of Utah Physician Assistant Program, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, and the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Additionally, there were representatives from the National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Food and Drug Administration, IMS Health, and the NHGRI.

Three colleges/schools of pharmacy were invited to the meeting: the University of California San Diego, University of North Carolina and Ohio Northern University.

The kind invitation by the NHGRI allowed the college to understand the views and approaches of leading organizations and government agencies and institutes relative to genomic medicine. The college was able to contribute to the discussion addressing the following specific goals of the meeting:

1. To define the current landscape of pharmacist education in genomics from the perspective of genetics, pharmacist care, pharmacy practice, and academic pharmacist communities.
2. To identify core educational needs in genomics as defined by pharmacists.
3. To identify opportunities and barriers that face efforts to enhance pharmacist genomic literacy.
4. To propose concrete strategies to take advantage of existing opportunities for genomics education, including interdisciplinary collaborations, at various stages of health professional education.
5. To plan next steps for strategically addressing pharmacist education.

The proceedings of this meeting were documented, and the NHGRI plans to make information available to the pharmacy community at large.