-When MCU-FDTMF College of Medicine came into existence, the Department of Pharmacology was combined with Biochemistry and Physiology under Dr. Alfredo P. Navato. In 1950, Dr. Processo Arenas took over the combined departments. At that time the section on Pharmacology was headed by Dr. Elena Ines Cuyegkeng. Biochemistry later became a separate department under Dr. Arenas while Pharmacology and Physiology were then headed by Dr. Alfredo Ortiz. In 1951 Pharmacology was separated from Physiology were then headed by Tuazon was appointer its Chair. When Dr. Ortiz died in 1968 Dr. Vicente Tuazon became the chairperson of the recombined Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology for a short time. After a year Physiology was divorced from Pharmacology. During that time, there were 6 members of the faculty staff with two technicians. Students numbered 200 which were divided into two sections. The students attended Pharmacology 2 x a week for each section and each meeting was for one hour lecture and 2 hours for the laboratory. The laboratory was then focused on doing experiments.
Upon the retirement of Dr. Tuazon, Dr. Natalia dela Torre succeeded him for 2 years. When she resigned the Departments of Pharmacology and Physiology were rejoined together under Dr. Jesus Fojas. In 1977 Dr. Teresa Cordero was appointed OIC of Pharmacology. She was later appointed chairperson, a position she held until 1985. With her as staff members were Dr. Manahan (connected also with Preventive Medicine now FCM), Dr. Florencia Molejon, Dr. Nellie Besa-Magsakay, Dr. Divina Beato and Mrs. Santiago.
During that time, there were 100 second year medical students (50/class). Lecturers like Dr. Horacio Estrada and Dr. Elena Cuyegkeng were invited to discuss specials topics. Straight lectures were given to the students for an hour. Two hours were spent on laboratory and experiments were done in Biochemistry Laboratory. Mrs. Santiago introduced the in-vitro research utilizing herbal plants. The concept of MPL was applied on long examinations.
1985-1992 was a banner period in the history of the department. Dr. Divina Beato succeeded to the charmanship. Members of her staff included Dr. Nellie Magsakay, Florencio Molejon, Artemio Villafania, Elizabeth Reyes and Merlina Cabrera, Dr. Rodolfo Rabanal and Lorna Rodriguez. Others like Dr. Eunice Bucsit, Catherine Tuazon and Maribeth Morales joined the department later. This was the period of many changes in the department. Pharmacology was synchronized with other subjects. The Philippine Society of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology came out with a curriculum which was implemented by the staff. The lecture method was mostly the strategy used in class although the student centered approach was divided into 2 smaller groups and simultaneous lectures were given. Field trips to herbal gardens together with the students were organized. Equipment/apparatus were acquired and updated. The mini laboratory and office were renovated.
At this time, there were 8 faculty staff members in the department who were active members of the Society of Pharmacologists. The staff attend seminar workshops, scientific meetings on teaching pedagoges as well as topics related to their specialties. Part of their time is spent in research.
In 1988 the Department of Pharmacology started to organize postgraduate seminars. This commitment of the department to continuing medical education for doctors and under graduates remains until the present.
Today the department is chaired by Dr. Nellie Magsakay who started her term in 1993. Presently, emphasis on the student centered teaching method is used and Clinical Pharmacology is now part of the curriculum. A yearly research contest among the students is held regularly. Membership of the faculty staff to the Philippine Society of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology was updated. Three 3 staff members are now fellows, 4 are regular members and 1 is an associate member.
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Divina Y. Beato, M.D.
Elizabeth R. Reyes, M.D.
Eunice C. Bucsit, M.D.
Esmarliza K. Tacud, M.D.
Emerita P. Perez, M.D.
Catherine H. Tuazon, M.D.
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