Dyfrig qualified as a pharmacist before undertaking a PhD in pharmacology. He subsequently trained in health economics and is now professor of pharmacoeconomics at Bangor University. His research focuses primarily on the safe, effective and efficient use of medicines.

What inspired you to pursue a role in the field of genomics?

Back in 2004, while I was at the University of Liverpool, I worked with the then NHS chair for pharmacogenetics, on a project assessing the cost-effectiveness of HLA-B*5701 genotyping before prescribing Abacavir for patients with HIV. This test subsequently became standard of care, and has likely prevented many hundreds of cases of hypersensitivity syndrome.

What happens during a typical working day?

I have broad research interests, spanning pharmaceutical economics and policy through to medication adherence and pharmacogenetics. My research group is multidisciplinary with economists, mathematicians, and pharmacists and we use a number of methods from clinical trials, preference elicitation studies to pharmacometrics. The range of ideas and perspectives makes for highly rewarding research.

What advice would you give to those interested in joining this field?

Take a broad perspective, recognise the value of multidisciplinarity, become a multidisciplinarian. Practical advice would include getting training in complementary disciplines e.g. pharmacy and economics; pharmacology and genetics; medicine and statistics etc.