Optimising polypharmacy through personalised medicine (WRIGHTDU18PEDU)

Through pharmacogenomics testing (PGx) for cytochrome P450 we can predict with a reasonable level of confidence how over 150 drugs will be managed within the body, thus enabling us to personalise therapy. Evidence continues to be generated regarding the relationship between an individual’s genetic makeup (genotype) and phenotype (how this affects the drug) and for many years we will be finessing our ability to accurately predict how an individual with absorb, distribute, metabolise, excrete and respond to individual drugs. With the phenotype insight that we have today however we are already able to begin making sensible prescribing recommendations and serious inroads into medicines optimisation. The UK has a strategy to set up to a national network of DNA testing centres by the end of 2020 and for personalised medicine to become routine practice by 2025.1

For the last two years, patients in Australia have been able to walk into a community pharmacy and request PGx using an inner cheek swab.2 The resulting report provides evidence based guidance on how to optimise and individual’s medication and has to date been delivered to over 20,000 patients. Whilst the provision of information on multiple drugs from one DNA samples provides an opportunity for healthcare professionals to minimise the consequences of polypharmacy3 there is limited research considering how multiple drug PGx should be used or best implemented within this patient group.4,5 Working with MyDNA, leading Australian PGx company, the aim of this PhD will be to identify how best to implement PGx within patients with polypharmacy.

The PhD will require the development of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, informed by the use of behavioural change theory. Training in all methodologies and theory will be provided, with supervision from experts in health services research design, medical statistics and behaviour change theory.


For more information on the supervisor for this project, please go here: https://www.uea.ac.uk/pharmacy/people/profile/d-j-wright

Type of programme: PhD

Project start date: October 2018

Mode of study: Full time

Entry requirements: Acceptable first degree - Pharmacy.
The standard minimum entry requirement is a 2:1.