PHARMACOLOGY

The Department of Pharmacology is a dynamic and integral part of the medical sciences, dedicated to the study of drugs and their effects on biological systems. It bridges the gap between basic science and clinical practice, empowering students and researchers to understand the mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, and rational use of medications.

With a strong focus on academic excellence and innovation, the department aims to cultivate critical thinking, ethical responsibility and research aptitude among students. Our curriculum blends foundational knowledge with hands-on practical training, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to contribute to patient care, drug development, and public health.

• The Department of Pharmacology is equipped with good infrastructure to support effective teaching, learning, and research for undergraduates
• Key facilities include:

Well equipped Practical Laboratory:

• Designed for conducting experimental pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, and computer-assisted learning, in compliance with NMC guidelines.

Demonstration and Lecture Halls:

• Spacious and equipped with audio-visual aids to facilitate interactive teaching sessions.

Museum:

Clinical Pharmacology lab

Research Lab:

Provisioned with instruments and resources for undergraduate learning and research

Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL) Lab:

Set up with simulation software to teach experimental pharmacology ethically and effectively.

Department Library:

Stocked with standard textbooks, reference books, and national/international journals for academic use.

Faculty Rooms and Administrative Office:

Designed for smooth departmental functioning with internet access and administrative support.

The Department of Pharmacology plays a vital role in medical education, research, and clinical practice support. Its scope of services includes:

Undergraduate Teaching:

Imparting knowledge on drug mechanisms, therapeutics, adverse effects, and rational use of medicines through lectures, practicals, and case-based learning.

Clinical Pharmacology Services:

supporting rational drug use, pharmacovigilance activities, and drug information services in collaboration with clinical departments.

Pharmacovigilance & ADR Monitoring:

Active participation in Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring (PvPI) and promoting drug safety through continuous surveillance and reporting to PVPI

Prescription Auditing and Feedback:

Regular auditing of hospital prescriptions to evaluate rationality, adherence to standard treatment guidelines, and identify issues like polypharmacy or potential drug interactions. Feedback is shared with prescribers to encourage safe and evidence-based prescribing.

Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) Participation:

Active involvement in the functioning of the IEC by reviewing and evaluating research proposals to ensure ethical conduct, scientific validity, and participant safety in clinical and biomedical research.

Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL):

Use of modern software-based simulation tools as ethical and effective alternatives to animal experimentation in pharmacology teaching.

Drug and Therapeutics Committee Support:

Assisting in formulary preparation, development of standard treatment guidelines, and promoting rational drug use in the hospital.

Continuing Medical Education (CME):

Conducting CME’s and training sessions to update knowledge in pharmacology and therapeutics.

The Department of Pharmacology actively engages undergraduate medical students (MBBS) through a variety of teaching-learning methods aimed at building a strong foundation in rational pharmacotherapy and clinical application of drugs. Key academic activities include:

1. Didactic Lectures

Regular classroom lectures covering general, systemic, and clinical pharmacology. Use of audiovisual aids, animations, and case-based illustrations for better understanding.

2. Small Group Teaching / Tutorials

Interactive sessions to reinforce complex topics. Focus on discussion, problem-solving, and clarification of doubts

3. Practical Sessions

Clinical pharmacology exercises including prescription writing, dose calculation, and identification of adverse drug reactions.
Problem-based learning (PBL) and case scenarios to enhance clinical reasoning.
Simulation-based learning using Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL) for experimental pharmacology.
Prescription Writing Hands-on training in writing rational and legible prescriptions based on standard treatment guidelines. Critical appraisal of common prescription errors.

4.Seminars and Student Presentations

Encouraging students to present drug-related topics to develop communication and analytical skills. Peer discussions under faculty guidance.

5. Drug Museum Visits and Chart Discussions

Learning through visual aids, drug models, charts, and historical drug exhibits

6. Assessment and Feedback

Regular formative assessments: MCQs, structured written exams, OSPEs (Objective Structured Practical Examinations).
Constructive feedback given to improve academic performance.

7. Participation in Pharmacovigilance and Prescription Auditing Exercises

Exposure to real-life prescription audits and ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction) reporting activities to promote awareness of drug safety.

Integrated Teaching

Coordination with other departments for system-based integrated teaching (e.g., General Medicine, Dermatology, Psychiatry).

9. Logbook Maintenance and Competency-Based Learning

In line with the NMC’s Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME), students maintain logbooks documenting skills and competencies

10. Electives

we developed structured elective topics like

1. Clinical research
2. Clinical protocol writing
3. Prescription auditing
4. Pharmacovigilance
5. General principles of ethics

Faculty guide students through their elective project work, presentations, or mini-research assignments. Assessment based on logbooks, reflections, presentations, and written reports as per NMC guidelines.

Electives in pharmacology help students build competencies in drug safety, regulatory science, medical writing, and research ethics—useful for careers in academia, pharma industry, or clinical research.

Electives

District Residency Programme for MD pharmacology

During the 3 month DRP posting, DRP pharmacology postgraduates engage in academic activities like seminar, journals ,new drug presentations, practical teaching sessions and clinical activities like prescription auditing , identify and reporting of ADRs. They will be maintaining a DRP log book detailing daily/weekly activities and observations

The Department of Pharmacology has consistently demonstrated excellence in academics and research.

Academic Excellence

Consistently high performance by undergraduate students in university examinations.

Successful implementation of innovative teaching methods such as Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL) & case-based discussions,

Regular organization of CME programs, Quiz programmes for students & National Pharmacovigilance week Programmes

Faculty have published research articles in peer-reviewed national and international journals.

Ongoing research projects such as pharmacovigilance, clinical pharmacology and drug utilization studies in Collaboration with clinical departments.