The Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology at Madras Veterinary College (MVC) is one of the oldest and most established departments of its kind in India. Its history is closely tied to the evolution of veterinary education in the country.
The department was established as one of the earliest foundational units of Madras Veterinary College, which itself was founded in 1903. Initially, it was created for the teaching of Materia Medica and Pharmacy, focusing on the medicinal properties and preparation of drugs.
The department significantly expanded its academic scope by starting postgraduate (M.V.Sc.) degree programs in 1956.
To meet the growing demand for advanced research in drug discovery and safety, Ph.D. programs were instituted in 1979.
Over the decades, as the field moved from traditional pharmacy towards modern drug action and safety, it was renamed as the Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology to reflect its modern dual focus on therapeutics and drug safety.
Till date, 128 students have completed M.V.Sc and 39 students have completed Ph.D. from this department.
The department was founded with a clear vision to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and modern pharmacology:
Imparting advanced knowledge of drug mechanisms (Pharmacodynamics) and how the animal body processes drugs (Pharmacokinetics). Initially, it was created for the teaching of Materia Medica and Pharmacy, focusing on the medicinal properties and preparation of drugs.
Conducting basic and applied need-based pharmacological and toxicological research on natural, semi-synthetic, synthetic drugs and allied products.
Offering drug information and toxicological diagnostic services to the farming community and veterinarians.
The department has the following UG Laboratories (2230 sq.ft) to handle UG practical classes as per the VCI norms.
The students are provided hands-on training in compounding various pharmaceutical preparations and the detection of toxic metals/non-metals/plant toxins in biological samples. Computer aided simulated animal experiments are used to demonstrate the effects of various drugs on different body systems. Experiments on antibacterial chemotherapy and toxicological diagnosis are also demonstrated. They are also exposed to various dosage forms of drugs.
| S.No. | Project Title | PI & Co-PI | Funding Agency | Budget Outlay | Project Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Completed | |||||
| 1 | Outreach Program on “Monitoring of Drug Residues and Environmental Pollutants” | PI: Dr. S. Ramesh Co-PI: Dr. L. Kalaiselvi |
Indian Council of Agricultural Research | - | Completed |
| 2 | A search for natural acaricides from traditional practices in Tamil Nadu | PI: Dr. S.P. Preetha | TANUVAS Sub-project | ₹20,000 | Completed |
| 3 | Isolation and Characterization of Safer and Potent Antiviral Components from Few Potential Medicinal Plants to Effectively Treat and Control Infections of Human Herpes Virus-1, Human Herpes Virus-2 and Human Herpes Virus-3 by In Vitro and In Vivo Studies | PI: Dr. P. Sriram Co-PI: Dr. L. Kalaiselvi |
Department of Science and Technology, Government of India | 13.2 Lakhs | Completed |
| 4 | Bioavailability of in-water formulation of Enrofloxacin in broilers | PI: Dr. S. Ramesh | M/s Suguna Poultry Farm Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore | 1.46 Lakhs | Completed |
| 5 | Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of oral Enrofloxacin in chicken | PI: Dr. S. Ramesh | M/s Ranbaxy Fine Chemicals Ltd., New Delhi | 1.03 Lakhs | Completed |
| 6 | Development of Standardized Herbal Product for Bovine Mastitis | PI: Dr. S. Ramesh | Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India | 16.30 Lakhs | Completed |
| Ongoing | |||||
| 1 | Validation of the Pharmacological Efficacy of Nandhi Mezhugu pretreatment with Kummati Mezhugu in Preclinical models of anovulation | PI: Dr. M.R. Srinivasan | Ministry of AYUSH | 63.42 Lakhs | Ongoing |
| 2 | Validation of the safety and therapeutic efficacy of Poorna Chandirodayam in Dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride induced colon cancer in rats | PI: Dr. S.P. Preetha | Ministry of AYUSH | 65.28 Lakhs | Ongoing |
| Sanctioned | |||||
| 1 | Formulation and validation of nano phyto–mineral compound against lead acetate induced changes and lead residues in poultry meat and egg | PI: Dr. R. Yogeswari Co-PI: Dr. C.M. Jaikanth |
Chief Minister’s Research Grant 2025-26 (Govt. of Tamil Nadu) | 21.63 Lakhs | Implemented |
| Student Innovation Schemes | |||||
| 1 | Development and Standardization of a Low-Cost Colorimetric Microbial Inhibition Test Kit for Rapid Detection of Antibiotic Residues in Raw Milk |
Mentor: Dr. S.P. Preetha Students: G. Kesavan, A.S. Nasreen |
Tamil Nadu Government Scheme on Students–Entrepreneurs–Industrialists Conclave | ₹40,000 | Ongoing |
| 2 | Development and evaluation of a lipid-based nutraceutical oral paste for supportive management of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle |
Mentor: Dr. R. Yogeswari Student: Muthu Thrisha B |
- | ₹20,000 | Ongoing |
| 3 | ToxAid: A Smart Veterinary Toxicology Database with AI-Driven Clinical Decision Support |
Mentor: Dr. C.M. Jaikanth Students: Dhanvandhini B, Sakthikarthikeyan S., Akshay Durga Prasad M. |
- | ₹40,000 | Ongoing |
| Chicken plasma | Chicken egg | Chicken meat | Bovine milk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofloxacin, Sparfloxacin, Levofloxacin, Oxytetracycline, Doxycycline, Tigecycline, Tylosin, Tilmicosin and Tiamulin | Enrofloxacin and Oxytetracycline | Enrofloxacin, Oxytetracycline, Levofloxacin, Tilmicosin, Tylosin and Tiamulin | Enrofloxacin |
| Name of the Faculty | Designation | Mobile# | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAMESH,S | PROFESSOR AND HEAD | ramesh.s@tanuvas.ac.in | 98418 20397 |
| PREETHA,S.P | PROFESSOR | drsppreetha@gmail.com | 89399 36060 |
| YOGESWARI,R | ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | dryogavet@gmail.com | 89035 65454 |
| JAIKANTH,C.M | ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | jaipersie@gmail.com | 9840077540 |
| DIVISHA,R | ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | vetrd89@gmail.com | 8778617473 |
The Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai – 600 007. Phone: +91-44-25304000 E-mail: hodvptmvc@tanuvas.org.in
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