Department of Pharmacology

Department of Pharmacology

About us
 Mission
 Vision
 Staff
 Pharmacology laboratory
 What we do
 Location
 Work Hours
 Contact Details
Mission
Pharmacology is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and ensuring the
safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs.
Vision
Performing excellence is a priority of the department and we put maximum effort on laboratory analysis for the
best outcome.
To acquire new knowledge in pharmacology, by conducting and promoting innovative researches to establish
efficacy, safety and effectiveness of medications in human.
The final aim of the department of pharmacology is to be a well recognized and distinguished unit in the field of
pharmacology and therapeutics in Sri Lanka by providing reliable investigations and better training for the
medical, paramedical and post graduate students.
Staff
The department of pharmacology includes 1 Consultant Pharmacologist, 1 Medical Officer, 1 Senior Medical Laboratory Technologist, 2 Medical Laboratory Technologists, 1 Lab Orderly and 2 Health care
Assistants.

Dr Dharshan de Silva ( MBBS, MD) ,

Consultant Pharmacologist, Head of Department of Pharmacology,

Medical Research Institute

Pharmacology Laboratory

The laboratory of clinical pharmacology performs laboratory analysis with the specific task to provide therapeutic
drug monitoring (TDM) of the levels of a drug in the serum and plasma. This is to ensure optimal dosing schemes for
the patient (i.e., to select the dose and dosing intervals). The interpretation is a crucial part to help the physician to
optimize the therapeutic effect and minimize the risk of toxicity. Levels of metabolites in urine are done to support
the diagnosis of neuroendocrine and carcinoid tumours.
What We Do 

1. Immuno suppressive agents
 Tacrolimus level
 Cyclosporine level
Above mentioned drug levels are useful for guiding dosage adjustments to achieve optimal
immunosuppression while minimizing dose dependent toxicity.
We use Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay(ELISA) for the quantitave determination of Tacrolimus/
Cyclosporine in human whole blood by Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immuno Assay(CMIA) technology with
flexible assay protocols.
2. Aminoglycosides
 Gentamicin
 Vancomycin
Above mentioned drug levels are done to ensure appropriate dosage to minimize drug
toxicity.
We use Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) for the quantitave determination of Gentamicin/
Vancomycin in human serum by Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immuno Assay (CMIA) technology with flexible
assay protocols.
3. Anti-epileptic drugs
 Na Valproate
 Carbamazepine
Above mentioned drug levels are used in the diagnosis and treatment of overdose/ toxicity
and in monitoring drug levels to help ensure appropriate therapy in Epilepsy.
We use Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay(ELISA) for the quantitave determination of Na Valproate/
Carbamazepine in human whole blood by Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immuno Assay(CMIA) technology
with flexible assay protocols.
4. Metabolites done in urine
 Vanillyl Mandelic Acid(VMA)
 Metanephrine
 5 Hydroxy Indole Acetic Acid(5HIAA)

Elevations of above metabolites in urine are supportive in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine
tumours such as pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma, neuroblastoma and carcinoid tumors.
We use Chromatographic Spectrometry for the quantitative determination of VMA/ Metanephrine/ 5HIAA in 24
hourly collected urine sample.

In addition

• Pre registration evaluation of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceuticals at the request of the DRA.
• Review of clinical trials when protocols are submitted from the Clinical Trials sub committee of  the CDDA.
• Drug information service on request to government /private hospitals.
• Conduct teaching and training to undergraduate/post graduate students in Pharmacy, Pharmacology. Clinical Pathology and Pediatrics

Location
Department of pharmacology is located in the 3rd floor of the new building.
Work Hours
8am – 4pm on weekdays
8am-12pm on Saturdays
Contact Details
Tel: 0112 693533-34 (Extension: 467)
Email: mripharmacology@gmail.com