Pharmacogenetics is the study of how our genes affect the way we respond to medications. Each person has a unique genetic makeup, which can influence how well a drug works or if it causes side effects. By understanding these genetic differences, doctors can tailor treatments to individual patients, making medications more effective and safer. This field combines pharmacology, the study of drugs, with genetics, the study of genes. As research in pharmacogenetics advances, it holds the promise of personalized medicine, where treatments are customized based on a person's genetic profile, leading to better health outcomes and fewer adverse reactions.