Publications

Research outputs, reports, policy briefs and knowledge products from KIU scholars and partners.

2026 School of Natural and Applied Sciences RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PHARMACY

Pharmacogenomics and Polygenic Risk Scores in National Health Insurance Systems: Clinical Workflows, Outcomes, Cost-Effectiveness, and Equity

Nambi Namusisi H.

Pharmacogenomics and polygenic risk scores (PRS) offer transformative potential for precision medicine by tailoring prevention, diagnostics, and treatment strategies to individual genetic profiles. National Health Insurance (NHI) systems provide an optimal framework for large-scale implementation, promoting equitable access, population-wide health impact, and cost-effectiveness. This review synthesizes evidence from pilot programs, clinical workflows, and biobank-based genomic analyses to examine pharmacogenomics and PRS integration into healthcare systems. We highlight strategies for patient selection, consent, workforce training, and electronic health record integration, alongside economic evaluations, equity considerations, and ethical challenges. Findings indicate improved therapeutic efficacy, reduced adverse drug events, and enhanced population health outcomes when genomic data inform clinical decision-making. Implementing these approaches at scale requires coordinated policy frameworks, infrastructure investment, and continuous evaluation to ensure equitable benefit across diverse populations. The analysis provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers to guide sustainable adoption of genomics-informed care within national health insurance systems.