The group includes scientists in veterinary pharmacology. Main objectives for the research activities are the use of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to optimize dosing protocols for a sustainable animal welfare and improved doping control in equine sports.
In order to decide on a dosing regimen, quantitative pharmacology i.e. information about what the body does to a drug (pharmacokinetics, PK) and what the drug does to the body (pharmacodynamics, PD) are essential. The PK/PD analyses together with clinical studies determines if the drug concentration is effective over the dose interval and the risk of side effects. Consequently, PK/PD reasoning is a prerequisite in clinical practice of registered veterinary and off-label drugs and a corner stone in optimizing dosing protocols and mitigating risks. Quantitative pharmacology might also be used in doping control in order to discriminate drug residues of therapeutic medication from effective plasma concentrations and intended doping and for assessment of withdrawal times.
The research is primarily supported by research foundations and performed in association with other pre-clinical and clinical research groups at SLU and international universities. In addition, networks are established with the Swedish Medical Product Agency (MPA), and branch organizations, such as the Swedish Trotting Association (STC).
