The direction of “Pharmacognosy and Botany” was first organized in 1953. The first head of the department was a pharmacist Belikov-Shtomich P.I. In 1954, PhD, Associate Professor Chudinov V.V. was appointed head of the department, who worked in this position for 19 years. He trained 1 PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, associate professor Boshko Z.I. Qualified specialists worked in this department – PhD, associate professor Pisarev A.A. During this time, through targeted postgraduate study, 3 of its employees defended their candidate dissertations: Dobrokhotova K.V., Mukhametgaliev A.G., Murzagaliev U.M. Associate Professor Pisarev A.A., together with Dobrokhotova K.V., published the book “Medicinal Plants Around Us” (1980) and published more than 50 scientific papers. Then, the department was supervised by Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Nikonov G.K. During this period, three employees of the department defended their candidate dissertations (Bimurzaev A.A., Sinitsyna V.G., Baimukhametov M.A.). Later, Professor Nikonov G.K., in collaboration with Professor Ushbaev K.U., published the book “Medicinal Plants of Kazakhstan” (1994). For 13 years, the department was headed by a highly qualified specialist, PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, associate professor Mukhametgaliev A.G. During this period, he and his staff published more than 50 scientific papers, received 2 rationalization certificates, and published textbooks: “Osimdiktanu” (A.G. Mukhametgaliev, Z.N. Kabaeva) and “The Study of Cells” (A.G. Mukhametgaliev, A.K. Luchinina). From 1995 to 2001, the department was headed by Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor M.N. Ashirmatova. During this time, 1 Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (B.K. Makhatov), ​​7 PhDs in Pharmaceutical Sciences (L.E. Tokeshova, A.M. Khudaibergenova and others) and 2 candidates of medical sciences (S.E. Supieva, I.V. Baskakova) were trained. Then the Department of Pharmacognosy was merged with the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, headed by Professor Beisenbekov A.S. For three years since 2008, the Department of Pharmacognosy was headed by Professor Omarova R.A., then the department was reorganized into three modules by directions, the head of the department since September 1, 2009 was “Pharmacist-analyst” D.Sc. (Pharm.), Professor Bisenbaev E.M., “Pharmacist-pharmacognost” C.Sc. (Pharm.), Professor Sayakova G.M., “Pharmacist-toxicologist” C.Sc. (Chem.), Associate Professor Kozhamzharova A.S.

According to the order of the rector of Asfendiyarov KazNMU No. 496 dated September 12, 2017, the courses of pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacognosy and chemical-toxicological disciplines, previously part of the department of pharmaceutical disciplines, were combined into the department of chemical-pharmaceutical disciplines headed by the head of the department, Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, associate professor Boshkaeva A.K. From 2019 to 2021, the department was headed by PhD, associate professor Berillo D.A. Then the department was reorganized and renamed as the Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry, Pharmacognosy and Botany. From 2021 to 2023, the department was headed by PhD, associate professor Zhumashova G.T. Since March 2023, the head of the department has been Candidate of Chemical Sciences, associate professor Akhelovа A.L.

According to the order No. 542 of 13.08.2024 “On the reorganization and assignment of departments to schools for the 2024-2025 academic year”, the department of pharmacognosy with a botany course was divided from the department of pharmaceutical and toxicological chemistry, pharmacognosy and botany and formed as a separate department. Currently, the department is headed by Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Sayakova G.M.

The scientific direction of the department: research and development of drugs based on raw materials of natural origin.

The department trains students, master’s students and PhD students in the specialty “Pharmacy” and “Technology of pharmaceutical production”. Also, at the department, under the supervision of Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Sayakova G.M. and PhD, associate professor Zhumashova G.T., 5 master’s students and 5 PhD students are studying. The department employs 1 candidate of pharmaceutical sciences, 2 PhDs, and 5 masters.