NRIIMS - NRI Institute of Medical Sciences

About Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the branch of medicine concerned with the scientific study of drugs and their effects on living organisms. In-depth understanding of the concept and knowledge related to pharmacology is crucial for the undergraduate medical students to prescribe and promote rational drug use and to minimise adverse effects due to drugs.

The Department of Pharmacology at NRIIMS has been actively engaged in both academic and research activities including teaching pharmacology to 3 rd, 4th and 5 thsemester undergraduate medical students. With well-equipped lecture galleries, demo rooms, research laboratories, computer-based systems and software, clinical skill labs with various mannequins and simulation studies for experimental pharmacology sessions, a museum, and knowledgeable, experienced faculty dedicated to undergraduate education and pharmacological research, the department boasts of excellent teaching and research facilities.

The department is crucial to the functioning of Institutional Ethics Committee at NRIIMS. In addition to regularly sending out drug safety alerts, the department also implements the Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI) and periodically raises awareness of PvPI among the health care workers of the institution.

Mission

To excel in the education and training of future healthcare professionals and researchers, advance scientific knowledge through cutting-edge research, and contribute to the improvement of public health through the Safe, Rational and Effective use of drugs.

Goals

To Develop and continuously improve a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that provides students with a deep understanding of pharmacological principles, drug mechanisms, and therapeutic applications.
To Implement innovative teaching methods and technologies to enhance student learning, engagement, and retention of pharmacological knowledge.
To lead and participate in public health initiatives that educate the community about the safe and effective use of medications, prevention of drug misuse, and the importance of pharmacology in healthcare.
To ensure that all research conducted within the department adheres to ethical guidelines and best practices, prioritizing the safety and well-being of research subjects and the community.
To maintain and enhance state-of-the-art laboratory and research facilities that support high-quality education and research activities.

Dr. P. Jagadeesh, M.D

Professor & HOD

Dr.G. Sankar, M.D

Associate Professor

Dr.Sadgunothama Goud, MSc. Ph.D

Dr. D. Vamsi Krishna, MSc. Ph.D

Assistant Professor

Activities

Academics activities

The department of pharmacology is the place where convergence of innovation, excellence and commitment in advancing medical knowledge take place. It stands at the forefront of pharmacological education and research fostering a dynamic environment for both students and faculty.

Academic Programs include teaching Pharmacology to students as per the NMC based CBME curriculum in the form of Lectures, Quiz, Seminars, Integrated teaching, Problem based learning (PBL),Case based learning (CBL), Self-directed learning (SDL), Preclass assignments, Demonstrations, Small group discussions, etc. These sessions cover fundamental and essential topics in pharmacology, ensuring students gain a robust theoretical foundation

Practicals include Hands-on laboratory sessions with mannequins, demonstration of effect of drugs on living tissues using computer assisted learning (CAL) software, provide students with practical experience in pharmacology reinforcing their understanding of theoretical concepts

Regular workshops and training sessions on contemporary topics like pharmacovigilance and good clinical practice keep students and faculty updated with the latest advancements in the fields concerned.

Research activities

Research Projects:

The department nurtures the research qualities in under graduates by motivating and guiding them for the ICMR - Short term studentship (STS) programs and UGSRS (Undergraduate Student Research Scholarship) programs etc. Faculty, in addition to individual research collaborate with other departments and research institutions to undertake interdisciplinary research projects, broadening the scope and impact of research.

Student Activities

The department hosts quizzes, competitions, and poster presentations to encourage students to showcase their knowledge and engage in healthy academic competition.

Outreach

“Reaching out to the communities”

Outreach services has been the mainstay among multiple activities by community medicine department. These services are primarily being provided through the peripheral centres under the department – Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) & Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC).

Services across the comprehensive health care spectrum (preventive, promotive, curative & rehabilitative) in the form of outpatient, inpatient & referral services, emergency health care, health awareness & education campaigns, school health programmes are provided on a regular basis. Important health days are observed all along the year, supplementing the regular activities. Also, noteworthy of mentioning, the department constantly create and provide opportunities to the undergraduates & postgraduates to be part of all the activities, enriching their learning experiences, while making them competent to operate on an independent basis in the future.

Research

“Instilling research culture”

The Department of Community Medicine has always been at the forefront in promoting and endorsing research in the areas of public health importance. With continuously reflecting on their mission, the faculty have been relentless in instilling research interests among the students and in constantly guiding/mentoring them. Also, spending quality time with the students trying to understand their research interests and giving liberty to the students to come up with their own research questions, has been the key approach.

National Pharmacovigilance week celebrations

(Every year September 17–23): An annual event where students, faculty, and guest speakers discuss current trends, challenges, and advancements in Pharmacovigilance which is concerned with detection assessment understanding and prevention of adverse drug effects.

Quiz in Pharmacovigilance and Adverse drug reactions

The Department of Pharmacology, NRIIMS conducted Quiz to 2nd MBBS students in pharmacovigilance, adverse drug reactions and drug interactions on 20th September 2023 as a part of the 3rdnational pharmacovigilance week celebrations (September 17-23) 2023. The quiz had a Preliminary round and a Rapid fire round and consisted of mostly multiple choice questions (MCQs) with few match the following and fill up the blank questions. The quiz was conducted to increase the awareness of students regarding the Pharmacovigilance, its aims, goals and on Adverse drug reactions (ADR), the various Types of ADR and the various methods to report ADR.

The students actively participated in the quiz with enthusiasm and zeal. The quiz was prepared and moderated by Dr. P. Jagadeesh; Professor and HOD of Pharmacology, NRIIMS and was attended by other pharmacology faculty Dr Shankar, Dr Keerthi, Dr Priyadharsni, Dr Rammohan, Dr Mounika and Mr. D. Vamsi Krishna.The 1st prize in quiz was won by Team B consisting of Vadicharla Srinivasa reddy, Palle Sahithi, Muddada Sri Lakshmi Harika, Sailatha Banoth&Lokarapu Ananyasriand the second prize by Team A consisting of Mohamed Ridah Sunain, Kalpana Mahanty, Gowtham Korada, D Sai Bhavitha, Alsha Koonari.

Poster presentation on Pharmacovigilance

A Poster presentation by the students on pharmacovigilance and on the current theme of pharmacovigilance “Boosting public confidence in pharmacovigilance” was organised to mark the 3rd national pharmacovigilance week celebrations on 21/9/23 from 10 am to 4 pm. The students are advised to make the posters in both English and Telugu language. The first prize for the poster presentation was won by Abhishek Mishraand the second prize by Atreyee Datta.

3rd National Pharmacovigilance Week Celebrations (September 17-23) 2023 at NRIIMS

An orientation program to celebrate the 3rdNational Pharmacovigilance Week was organised at Anil Neerukonda Raghavaiah auditorium On 21/09/23 by the department of pharmacology from 2pm to 4pm. The Program started with lighting of the lamp by the Dean Sri. P.V. Sudhakar garu who was the chief guest. This was followed by an Introductory lecture on Pharmacovigilance by the guest of honour Sri Syamala garu, Professor and HOD, Pharmacology, Andhra medical college, Visakhapatnam. Later Dr. Sudhakar sir spoke on the topic “Prescription practices and ethics in prescription”. This was followed by lecture on “overview of pharmacovigilance” by Dr. Bheemesh, Assistant professor, AMC, Visakhaptnam and later Dr. Kiran, Associate professor, AMC gave lecture on “How to fill the ADR form”. The program was graced by Dr. B.V.S. Ratnakumari garu; Medical superintendent, Anil Neerukonda Hospital, Dr. Sridhar reddy garu; vice principal, NRIIMS and by HODs and faculty of various departments. The program concluded with distribution of prizes to the winners of quiz and poster competition by the chief guest and guest of honour and vote of thanks by Dr. Jagadeesh, HOD, Pharmacology, NRIIMS.

Awareness program on Pharmacovigilance at Rural health training center (RHTC), Anandapuram

The department of pharmacology in collaboration with the department of community medicine, NRIIMS conducted an awareness program on 22/09/2023 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at Rural health training center (RHTC), Anandapuram. The main aim of this program is to increase the awareness of general public regarding pharmacovigilance and on ADR reporting and to enlighten the general public on the current theme of Pharmacovigilance, “Boosting public confidence in pharmacovigilance”. Dr. Jagadeesh, HOD of pharmacology gave a lecture on Pharmacovigilance, Adverse drug reactions, methods of reporting Adverse drug reactions to Pharmacovigilance regional centers and national center by the patients themselves. ADR reporting forms in Telugu language was given to all participants who were briefed regarding the method of filling the ADR form. Dr Madhuri, Assistant Professor, Department of community medicine, Dr. Ram mohan, Dr Mounika, Mr. D. Vamsi Krishna from department of pharmacology, Post graduate student Dr. Moulika and interns from community medicine department, field staff and general public attended the program.

Inauguration of Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR)Monitoring Centre at Anil Neerukonda Hospital

Inauguration of Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) Monitoring Centre at Anil Neerukonda Hospital was done on 20/12/2023 by Dean Sri. P.V. Sudhakar garu. The ADR Centre is responsible for collecting the details of any adverse drug reaction occurring in the ANH in the form of filled ADR forms and shall submit it to the Pharmacovigilance regional centre at Andhra medical college.

Good clinical practice (GCP) workshop

(Every year in June/July): Conducted every year for postgraduate medical students and faculty regarding practice of ethical guidelines related to academic research.