Overview

The Department of Pharmacology plays a crucial and interdisciplinary role in educating healthcare professionals and medical students on drug therapy, serving as a cornerstone of basic medical Sciences. Our department offers an ideal environment for studying pharmacology and conducting medical research, led by a team of talented and experienced faculty dedicated to mentoring future generations.

We excel in academics, research, and supporting hospital services through our leadership in the Pharmacovigilance committee. Notably, since June 2015, our institution has been recognized as an Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Centre under the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), further solidifying our commitment to advancing medical knowledge and patient safety.

Vision

"Excellence in pharmacology education and research, transforming patient care through innovative drug development and pharmacotherapeutic services."

Mission

• To integrate basic pharmacology with clinical training, fostering a comprehensive learning environment that links theory to practice.
• To advance research in patient-centered pharmacotherapeutic services, driving improvement in human health and well-being.

Pharmacovigilance

Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Centre, A&N Islands

Pharmacovigilance is the Sciences and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any drug-related problem.

Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ghaziabad has designated Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences, Sri Vijaya Puram as an Adverse Drug Reactions Monitoring Centre (AMC) under the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India in July 2015.

ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram has been actively participating in the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) as an ADR Monitoring Centre (AMC) since June 2015, by reporting the Adverse Drug Reactions experienced by the patients in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The Pharmacovigilance Committee plans and oversees activities carried out in the AMC to promote ADR reporting. Sensitization sessions on ‘Pharmacovigilance’ and awareness programs on reporting Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are regularly conducted by the pharmacology faculty for all medical students (interns) and junior residents at ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram.

Pharmacology Museum

The Pharmacology Museum in our department is a unique educational resource and repository of pharmaceutical history, showcasing the evolution of drug therapy.

Our museum features an extensive collection of rational & irrational fixed dose combinations, various dosage forms, special drug delivery systems, charts, exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays that highlight the development of pharmacology as a medical Sciences.

By preserving the past and present of pharmacology, we aim to inspire future generations of healthcare professionals, researchers, and students. The museum serves as a valuable teaching tool, complementing our department's academic and research endeavors, and fostering a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between drugs, diseases, and human health.

Department of Pharmacology

S.no	Name	Designation
1	Dr. Prakash B M	Professor & Head
2	Dr. Ann George	Associate Professor
3	Dr. K Sneha	Senior Resident
4	Dr. Arshiya Siddiqui	Demonstrator
5	Dr. Stanley Jones Raj	Demonstrator

Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) – Experimental Pharmacology

MBBS students have the opportunity to learn Experimental Pharmacology through simulated experiment software in the Computer Assisted Learning Lab, in accordance with the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum.

The Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory is a dedicated research facility aimed at advancing the understanding of drug actions and mechanisms. Equipped with essential instrumentation, the laboratory enables researchers and students to design and conduct innovative experiments on tissue and animal models to explore the pharmacological effects of compounds and therapeutic agents.

IEC Activities & National Pharmacovigilance Week

• National Pharmacovigilance Week – 17th to 23rd September 2022:
  An awareness session on the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) was conducted for B.Sc Nursing students on 23rd September 2022. Members of the Pharmacovigilance Committee delivered a plenary session on “Basic aspects of reporting Adverse Drug Reactions”, emphasizing the crucial role of healthcare professionals in pharmacovigilance.
• National Pharmacovigilance Week – 17th to 23rd September 2023:
  Themed “Boosting Confidence in Pharmacovigilance”, an online guest lecture was organized by the Department of Pharmacology, ANIIMS, in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Undergraduate students, interns, junior residents, and other healthcare professionals participated. The session covered the organizational structure of PvPI and provided guidance on:
  • What to report
  • Where to report
  • Why to report
  • Who can report
  • How to report
• National Pharmacovigilance Week – 17th to 23rd September 2024:
  The theme was “Building ADR Reporting Culture for Patient Safety”. A guest lecture was delivered by renowned Pharmacologist Prof. Bikash Medhi during an online webinar conducted by PGI Chandigarh on “Pharmacovigilance Programme of India and Materiovigilance Programme of India.”
  
  Additionally, Dr. Vikas M., Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, ANIIMS, delivered a session for second-year MBBS students on “How to fill an ADR reporting form for health professionals.”
• National Pharmacovigilance Week – 17th to 23rd September 2025 (Planned):
  Theme: “Your Safety, Just a Click Away: Report to PvPI.”

Research Activities

The faculty members of the department are actively engaged in various research projects and mentoring undergraduate students.

Publications (Year-wise)

• 2023 – 1 Publication
• 2024 – 2 Publications
• 2025 – 1 Publication

Ramasubbu SK, Mishra A, Mandal S, et al. (April 22, 2025). Therapeutic Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs) Causing QT Prolongation in Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus, 17(4): e82770.
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.82770

Ongoing Projects & Status

1. Impact of training on prescription writing skills among doctors in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands – Data collection completed
2. Prescription audit to assess the pattern and errors at tertiary care centre of Andaman & Nicobar Islands – Data collection completed
3. A cross-sectional study on hemispheric brain preference and academic performance among second year MBBS students in a remote medical college – Study completed
4. Learning style profiles of second year MBBS students in a remote medical college in India – Study completed

Programmes Offered

• Pharmacology – MBBS Phase II Subject (11 months)
• Pharmacology Modules in Foundation Course for MBBS Phase I students
• Elective Posting – MBBS Phase III Part I (2 weeks): Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Pharmacology, Prescription Audit, E-Pharmacy, Student Initiated Research
• Mentor–Mentee Program for MBBS students (as assigned by MEU, ANIIMS)

Achievements

The Department of Pharmacology took the lead in compiling the List of Essential Medicines for Andaman & Nicobar Islands, leveraging expertise from across all clinical departments at ANIIMS, Sri Vijayapuram.