Since 1953, the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth University has employed strong leadership and superior teaching. Alumni of the department have achieved prominent roles in academia, industry and government.

The goal of the department is to improve the treatment of medical disorders through a better understanding of the pharmacology of agents and their mechanisms of action with the purpose of developing safer and more effective pharmacological therapies to enhance human health. The department is committed to excellence in research, teaching and service in the area of pharmacology and toxicology, and in the training of graduate students to become independent, highly regarded scientists and expert teachers in pharmacology.