Department of Pharmacology strives to train undergraduate, post graduate, nursing and paramedical students of the college the basic principles of pharmacology and its application in therapeutics to practice and promote the rational use of medicines.

Started in 1963 under Maj Bopardikar, the department has modulated itself as per the evolving needs of the affiliated university and medical, dental and nursing councils. For the first seven years after its inception, the department provided only undergraduate training. In 1970, the department was recognized by University of Pune for post graduate course in pharmacology leading to the award of MD Pharmacology. In the period between 1970 and 1995 several civilian doctors underwent post graduate training in the department and are now highly placed in the country and abroad. To cater to the needs of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), in the year 1993, the post-graduation for the service officers was also started in the form of advanced specialist course. 21 service officers have successfully completed the advanced specialist course so far and five of them are currently on the faculty.

Department of pharmacology has a vibrant under graduate and post graduate teaching program catering to various aspects of experimental and clinical pharmacology so as to produce a blend of traditional skills along with a modern outlook. In consonance with the syllabus laid down for the subject by MUHS/ National Medical Commission for the Indian Medical Graduates and Post-graduates, the department is conducting various academic activities.

The department is following the competency based medical education (CBME) curriculum as promulgated by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The academic activities are planned with an aim to empower the students to select and prescribe medicines based on clinical conditions and pharmacological basis of therapeutics and counsel the patients regarding appropriate use of prescribed drug and drug delivery systems. The theory comprises of large group interactive lectures, seminars and small group teaching in the form of tutorials. Practicals are conducted in the form of demonstrations, computer assisted learning (CAL), simulated videos and case based learning. The department also inculcates and encourages research aptitude in undergraduate students and helps them to undertake short term studentship research projects under the aegis of Indian Council of Medical Research and also departmental research projects.

The department is following the competency based medical education (CBME) curriculum as promulgated by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The postgraduate academic activities include postgraduate seminars, journal clubs, experimental and clinical pharmacology practicals, group discussions, clinical rotation postings, visit/attachment to pharmaceuticals company/clinical trial site/CRO, and other e-learning activities. The students are also involved in UG training activities. Hands on practical training of drug assays and pharmacometrics are supported by thoughtfully planned seminars and journal article presentations. The faculty and post-graduate trainees undertake and participate in research projects in addition to their teaching work.

In addition to the core activity of training II MBBS and MD (Pharmacology) students, the department is involved in teaching pharmacology to students of BSc Nursing, MSc (OT) Nursing, MSc (Ortho) Nursing, MDS, BPMT (Optometrist) and service course for pharmacists. The course for pharmacists was started under department of Medicine and was transferred to pharmacology in 1963. In Sep 2018, the Pharmacy section evolved into a separate department and Pharmacology Department relocated into a different building. The department has a Pharmacovigilance Centre, which is recognized by the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India and caters to the monitoring of adverse drug reactions in the AFMS. Various educational activities are organized by the center during the National Pharmacovigilance Week. The department is also in the process of establishing materiovigilance center. The department also has a robust therapeutic drug monitoring lab to support clinicians and for research activities. The department is housed in a heritage building which despite many modifications evokes strong nostalgic feelings in the alumni visiting the alma mater after a long time.