In the last several years pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics have attracted the interest of the scientific community and of important pharmaceutical groups. What is the consequence for medicine and for the pharmaceutical industry? What has emerged from this investment, and what can we expect for the future? As with many new technologies, pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics were first adapted with much enthusiasm, and then found to require time and experience, together with sustained investment, before they could take their full place in drug discovery and development. The benefits of these technologies are now emerging, however, and they have become essential tools for the pharmaceutical industry.